Question

The course of the thoracic duct is most associated with what structure? What is its pathway?

a) Associated with the esophagus; pathway through the mediastinum
b) Associated with the aorta; pathway through the retroperitoneal space
c) Associated with the trachea; pathway through the thorax
d) Associated with the vertebral column; pathway through the spinal canal

Answer 1

The thoracic duct is closely associated with the aorta and travels through the mediastinum, next to the vertebral column, eventually draining into the venous system at the junction of the left subclavian and internal jugular veins.

Step-by-step explanation:

The course of the thoracic duct is most associated with the structure of the aorta. Its pathway includes passage through the aortic hiatus of the posterior diaphragm and continues within the mediastinum to the left of the vertebral column. As the largest lymphatic vessel in the body, the thoracic duct collects lymph from the body below the diaphragm and the left side of the body above the diaphragm, finally emptying into the venous system at the junction of the left subclavian vein and the left internal jugular vein.