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thoracic duct
The largest lymphatic vessel in the human body, being about 41 cm (16 in) long and 0.6 cm (0.25 in) wide. The thoracic duct carries the mixture of lymph and chyme from the cisterna chyli upwards through the thorax to the left subclavian vein in the root of the neck.
Changes in pressure in the body, associated with breathing and muscular movements, cause the lymph to move up the thoracic duct, which is provided with several valves to prevent the fluid from flowing downwards.
Just before the thoracic duct enters the subclavian vein it is joined by the left jugular and subclavian trunks carrying lymph from the left side of the head and neck and the left arm.
Related category
• ANATOMY AND PHYSIOLOGY
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