Thoracic Duct - Volume, Mechanism, and Direction of Flow

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.

    The method of painting is the natural growth out of a need. I want to express my feelings rather than illustrate them. Technique is just a means of arriving at a statement.... I can control the flow of paint: there is no accident, just as there is no beginning and no end.
    Jackson Pollock (1912–1956)