Anatomie, microanatomie et physiologie des lymphatiques des poumons et de la paroi thoracique

The thoracic lymphatic vessels are pulsating channels which drain actively the fluid of lung parenchyma interstitium and pleural cavities. Their unidirectional valves that avoid reflux of contents, direct the current of fluid to the connection of thoracic duct to subclavian vein or to the thoracic duct itself by these pulsations. The ascending parietal and visceral currents have anastomoses between them. The parietal currents (internal thoracic anteriorly, external axillaries in lateral and paravertebral in posterior) drain the lymph of thoracic wall. Pleural cavities and the visceral currents, drain that of lungs and mediastinal organs. The thoracic duct goes upward in the posterior mediastinum and usually connects to the venous confluent of the left subclavian vein. It receives a part of thoracic lymph and also drains the lymph of trunk and inferior limbs. About a half or two thirds of thoracic duct lymph is originated from liver and intestines. The intestines have the lymph of digestion with the fatty elements, i.e., the chyle.