Right lymphatic duct
{{Short description|Lymphatic vessel}}
{{Infobox lymph
| Name = Right lymphatic duct
| Latin = ductus lymphaticus dexter
| Image = Gray599.png
| Caption = The thoracic and right lymphatic ducts. (Right lymphatic duct is labeled at upper left.)
| Image2 = Gray601.png
| Caption2 = Terminal collecting trunks of right side. a. Jugular trunk. b. Subclavian trunk. c. Bronchomediastinal trunk. d. Right lymphatic trunk. e. Gland of internal mammary chain. f. Gland of deep cervical chain.
| DrainsFrom =
| Source = Right jugular trunk
| DrainsTo = Internal jugular vein
}}
The right lymphatic duct is an important lymphatic vessel that drains the right upper quadrant of the human body.{{cite book | vauthors = Carroll RG | chapter = Chapter 8: Vascular System|date=2007-01-01 | title = Elsevier's Integrated Physiology|pages=77–89| veditors = Carroll RG |place=Philadelphia|publisher=Mosby |doi=10.1016/b978-0-323-04318-2.50014-5|isbn=978-0-323-04318-2 }} It forms various combinations with the right subclavian vein and right internal jugular vein.{{cite book | vauthors = Kaipainen A, Bielenberg DR | chapter = Hemangiogenesis versus Lymphangiogenesis|date=2010-01-01 | title = Encyclopedia of the Eye|pages=227–232| veditors = Dartt DA |place=Oxford |publisher=Academic Press |doi=10.1016/b978-0-12-374203-2.00125-1 |isbn=978-0-12-374203-2 }}{{cite book | vauthors = Jackson MA, Day JC | chapter = Chapter 16: Lymphatic System and Generalized Lymphadenopathy|date=2018-01-01 | title = Principles and Practice of Pediatric Infectious Diseases | edition = Fifth |pages=128–135.e1| veditors = Long S, Prober CG, Fischer MS |publisher=Elsevier|language=en|doi=10.1016/b978-0-323-40181-4.00016-5|isbn=978-0-323-40181-4 }}
Structure
The right lymphatic duct courses along the medial border of the anterior scalene at the root of the neck. The right lymphatic duct forms various combinations with the right subclavian vein and right internal jugular vein. It is approximately 1.25 cm long.{{Citation needed|date=November 2020}}
= Variations =
A right lymphatic duct that enters directly into the junction of the internal jugular and subclavian veins is uncommon.{{cite book | vauthors = Bergman RA, Afifi AK, Miyauchi R | title = Illustrated Encyclopedia of Human Anatomic Variation: Opus II | chapter = Cardiovascular System: Listing of the Cardiovascular System By Region: Lymphatics. | chapter-url = http://www.anatomyatlases.org/AnatomicVariants/Cardiovascular/Directory/Region/ArteriesLymphatics.shtml | access-date = 29 July 2013 }}
Function
File:Diagram showing the parts of the body the lymphatic and thoracic ducts drain CRUK 323.svg
The right duct drains lymph fluid from:
- the upper right section of the trunk, (right thoracic cavity, via the right bronchomediastinal trunk)
- the right arm (via the right subclavian trunk)
- and right side of the head and neck (via the right jugular trunk)
- also, in some individuals, the lower lobe of the left lung.{{cite book| vauthors = Schuenke M, Schulte, Schumacher U, Ross LM, Lamperti ED, Voll M, Wesker K |title=Thieme atlas of anatomy: Neck and internal organs|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=n0jqG0Lv2CAC&pg=PA136 |date=24 May 2006|publisher=Thieme|isbn=978-3-13-142111-1|pages=136–}}
All other sections of the human body are drained by the thoracic duct.{{cite book | vauthors = Hirsch DL, Spink MJ | chapter = Chapter 53 - Oral Squamous Cell Carcinoma: Treatment|date=2012-01-01 |title = Current Therapy In Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery|pages=422–434| veditors = Bagheri SC, Bell RB, Khan HA |place=Saint Louis|publisher=W.B. Saunders|language=en|doi=10.1016/b978-1-4160-2527-6.00053-0|isbn=978-1-4160-2527-6 }}
Clinical significance
Along with the thoracic duct, the right lymphatic duct is one of the lymphatic structures most likely to be ruptured in the thorax.{{cite book | vauthors = López A, Martinson SA | chapter = Chapter 9 - Respiratory System, Mediastinum, and Pleurae1|date=2017-01-01 |title = Pathologic Basis of Veterinary Disease | edition = Sixth |pages=471–560.e1| veditors = Zachary JF |publisher=Mosby |doi=10.1016/b978-0-323-35775-3.00009-6|isbn=978-0-323-35775-3|pmc=7271179 }} This can cause chylothorax.
History
The discovery of this structure has been credited to Niels Stensen.{{cite book | vauthors = Skandalakis JE | title = Surgical Anatomy: The Embryologic And Anatomic Basis Of Modern Surgery | date = 2004 }}
Additional images
File:Gray621.png|Deep lymph nodes and vessels of the thorax and abdomen (diagrammatic).
References
{{Gray's}}
{{reflist|30em}}