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Right Lymphatic Duct
Lymphoid System

Right Lymphatic Duct

Ductus lymphaticus dexter

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Description: (Location & Drainage)

The right lymphatic duct is much less distinguishable than its left counterpart, the thoracic duct. The right lymphatic duct is about 1–2 cm in length and is located in the neck, anterior to the scalenus anterior muscle. It is formed by the union of the right bronchomediastinal, jugular, and subclavian trunks and delivers lymph back to the venous system via the right brachiocephalic vein, at the junction between the internal jugular and subclavian veins.

The right lymphatic trunk is a highly variable structure, where it may not receive one of the trunks named above. Additionally, it is normal for the right lymphatic trunk not to form at all, and the terminals of the right bronchomediastinal, jugular, and subclavian trunks end directly in the venous system (Földi et al., 2012; Tubbs, Shoja and Loukas, 2016).

References

Földi, M., Földi, E., Strößenreuther, R. and Kubik, S. (2012) Földi's Textbook of Lymphology: for Physicians and Lymphedema Therapists. Elsevier Health Sciences.

Tubbs, R. S., Shoja, M. M. and Loukas, M. (2016) Bergman's Comprehensive Encyclopedia of Human Anatomic Variation. Wiley.

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