340 



DISSECTION OF THE THORAX. 



fc " 



Fig. 106. 



from the front of the chest, the thymus body, the pericardium, and the 



upper surfaces of the diaphragm and liver. 



On each side of the spine, near the heads of the ribs, as well as between 



the intercostal muscles, is placed a group of intercostal glands for the re- 

 ception of the lymphatics of the posterior wall of 

 the thorax. 



Numerous bronchial glands are situate at the 

 division and along the side of the trachea, through 

 which the lymphatics of the lung pass ; and be- 

 neath the arch of the aorta are a few cardiac 

 glands, to which the lymphatics of the heart are 

 directed. 



Along the side of the aorta and ossophagus is a 

 chain of cesophageal glands, which are joined by 

 the lymphatics of the oesophagus, and communi- 

 cate with those of the lungs. 



The thoracic duct (fig. 106, 1 ) is the main 

 channel by which the lymphatic and lacteal fluid 

 of the lower half of the body, and ot the left side 

 of the upper half of the body, is conveyed into the 

 blood. The duct begins in the abdomen in an 

 enlargement (chyli receptaculum), and ends in 

 the left subclavian vein of the neck. It is about 

 eighteen inches in length, and is contained in the 

 thorax, except at its origin and termination. It 

 has the undermentioned connections : 

 ^Entering the cavity on the right of the aorta 

 and .through the same opening, the duct ascends 

 on tne right side of that vessel, as high as the 

 arch. Opposite the fifth dorsal vertebra it passes 

 beneath the aortic arch, and is applied to the left 

 sfde- of the, oesophagus, on which it is conducted 

 to the neck under the left subclavian artery. At 

 the lower part of the neck the duct arches out- 

 wards, as before described (p. 119), to open into 

 the left subclavian vein. 



In this course the tube is oftentimes divided 

 in two, which unite again; or its divisions may 

 even form a plexus. Near its termination it is 

 frequently branched. It is provided with valves 

 at intervals, like a vein ; and these are in greatest 

 number at the upper part. 



Branches.'' In the thorax the duct receives 

 the lymphatics of the left half of the cavity, viz., 

 from the sternal and intercostal glands ; also the 

 lymphatics of the left lung, the left side of the 

 heart, and the trachea and oesophagus. 



The right lymphatic duct (fig. 27) receives 



large branches from the viscera of the thorax. It is a short trunk, about 



half an inch in length, and opens into the angle of union of the subclavian 



and jugular veins of the same side (p. 79) : its opening is guarded by 



valves. 



Branches. Into this trunk the lymphatics of the right upper limb, and 



VIEW OF THE THORACIC 

 DUCT, AND THE INTER- 

 COSTAL VEINS. 



1. Thoracic duct. 



2. Ending of the duct in the 



left subclavian vein. 



3. Large or right azygos vein. 



4. Left lower azygos or in- 



tercostal vein. 



6. Leff%pper azygos or inter,- 

 costal. 



6. Vena cava superior. 



7. Left internal jugular vein, 



cut through. 



