Anatomical observations on the ending of the human thoracic duct

Abstract

Fifty-one cadavers of human adults of both sexes were examined for the ramifications and site of opening of the cervical segment of the thoracic duct. It was found that the duct opened into veins of the neck through either one (84.31%) or two branches (15.69%). The most frequent site of opening was in the junction of the left internal jugular vein with the subclavian vein (18 individuals), but another frequent site (15 individuals) was in the internal jugular vein. The duct opened at the angle formed by the internal jugular vein and the internal posterior jugular vein in five individuals, and at a variety of the other locations in the remaining cadavers. These results are compared with the findings of previous investigators.