The thoracic duct drains into the venous circulation at the junction of which two veins?

• A Right subclavian and right internal jugular
• B Superior vena cava and right innominate vein
• C Left subclavian and left internal jugular (left venous angle) ✓
• D Left brachiocephalic and superior vena cava

Explanation

The thoracic duct ascends through the posterior mediastinum to the left side of the neck and drains into the venous angle formed by the junction of the left subclavian and left internal jugular veins (left brachiocephalic confluence). The right lymphatic duct drains into the right venous angle. Damage to the thoracic duct during left neck dissection or oesophagectomy causes chylothorax or chylous fistula. Knowledge of this endpoint explains left supraclavicular (Virchow) node metastasis via thoracic duct.

Reference: BD Chaurasia's Human Anatomy, 8th ed.

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Written and medically reviewed by the StethoPrep medical team.