Volume, Mechanism, and Direction of Flow
In adults, the thoracic duct transports up to 4 L of lymph per day.
The lymph transport in the thoracic duct is mainly caused by the action of breathing, aided by the duct's smooth muscle and by internal valves which prevent the lymph from flowing back down again.
There are also two valves at the junction of the duct with the left subclavian vein, to prevent the flow of venous blood into the duct.
Read more about this topic: Thoracic Duct
Famous quotes containing the words direction and/or flow:
“From the way the grass bends, one can know the direction of the wind.”
—Chinese proverb.
“I candidly confess that I have ever looked on Cuba as the most interesting addition which could ever be made to our system of States. The control which, with Florida, this island would give us over the Gulf of Mexico, and the countries and isthmus bordering on it, as well as all those whose waters flow into it, would fill up the measure of our political well-being.”
—Thomas Jefferson (1743–1826)