THE TYPES OF THE THORACIC DUCT / 解剖学报

ABSTRACT

The origin and the course of the thoracic duct and its opening into the vein were studied in 150 cadavers including 15 fetuses and 138 infants. They are classfied into 5 types.1. The normol type of the thoracic duct begins in the abdominal cavity as a single trunk, It ascends along the right side of the aorta and empties into the venous system on the left side at the root of the neck. This type of the duct which is described in the general text book, occurred in 84.67 per cent.2. The two-trunk type of the thoracic duct begins in the abdominal cavity as two trunks and ascends along the each side of the aorta. The two trunks join together at different levels in the thorax forming a single trunk which empties into the venous system on the left side at the root of the neck. This type of the duct occurred in 10.66 per cent.3. The bifurcated-type of the thoracic duct starts in the abdominal cavity as a single trunk and passing cephalad on the right side of the aorta and divides into two branches at the level of the 6th～4th thoracic vertebra, The right branch opens into the venous svstem on the right side and the left branch opens into the venous system on the left side. This type of the duct occurred in 3.33 per cent. The type which ascends along the left side of the aorta was found.4. The right thoracic duct begins in the abdominal cavity as a single trunk and runs its entire course along the left side of the aorta. The termination opens into the right jugular venous angle. This type of the duct occurred in 0.67 per cent.5. The left thoracic duct begins in the abdominal cavity as a single trunk and ascends along the left side of the aorta. It empties into the left jugular venous angle. This type of the duct occurred in 0.67 per cent.