Expansion
A lymphatic sac at L1 to L2 receiving the intestinal and lumbar lymph trunks
Expansion
- A dilated lymphatic sac lying at about L1 to L2, to the right of the aorta and behind it
- Receives the intestinal trunk and the right and left lumbar trunks
- Continues upwards as the thoracic duct, entering the thorax through the aortic hiatus at T12
It therefore collects lymph from the entire abdomen, pelvis and both lower limbs.
The intestinal contribution carries chyle, lymph laden with chylomicrons absorbed from the small intestinal lacteals, which is why it appears milky after a fatty meal and why long-chain fats bypass the portal circulation.
Damage during retroperitoneal or aortic surgery can produce chylous ascites, and the same principle applies to chylothorax after thoracic duct injury higher up.