US Medical Term · anatomy
Thoracic Duct
Conducto torácico
In 9 languages
| Language | Term |
|---|---|
| English | Thoracic Duct |
| Spanish (Español) | Conducto torácico |
| Chinese (中文) | 胸管 |
| Korean (한국어) | 흉관 |
| Vietnamese (Tiếng Việt) | Ống ngực |
| Filipino (Tagalog) | Thoracic duct |
| Portuguese (Português) | Ducto torácico |
| Thai (ภาษาไทย) | ท่อทรวงอก |
| Japanese (日本語) | 胸管 |
What it means
The thoracic duct is the largest vessel of the lymphatic system. It collects lymph — a clear fluid containing white blood cells, fats absorbed from the intestines, and waste products — from most of the body, including the lower limbs, abdomen, and left side of the chest. It runs from the abdomen up through the chest and empties into a large vein near the left shoulder, returning lymph to the bloodstream. The thoracic duct also carries fats absorbed from food in the small intestine. When the thoracic duct is damaged — by surgery, trauma, or cancer — a milky fluid called chyle can leak into the chest cavity, a condition called chylothorax that may require drainage.
How to say it
Sentences a patient might use with a doctor, nurse, pharmacist, or insurer:
The surgeon said my thoracic duct was accidentally nicked during the operation and lymph fluid is leaking into my chest.
El cirujano dijo que el conducto torácico fue cortado accidentalmente durante la operación y hay líquido linfático saliendo hacia el pecho.
The fluid draining from my chest looks milky — they said it is coming from the thoracic duct.
El líquido que drena de mi pecho se ve lechoso. Dijeron que proviene del conducto torácico.
I was told that a low-fat diet can help reduce the flow through the thoracic duct while it heals.
Me dijeron que una dieta baja en grasas puede ayudar a reducir el flujo a través del conducto torácico mientras sana.
Where you'll see it
Related terms
Sources
Last reviewed: September 2026