With the aim to state the dependence between the projection of the place where the thoracic duct flows into and the superior part of its arc with the position of its external reference marks in order to choose a rational approach to the terminal part of the thoracic duct, an investigation on 50 embalmed human corpses has been performed by the method of graphic reconstruction and quantitative estimation of the planimetric images obtained. Certain regularities have been revealed in the interconnection of the terminal part of the thoracic duct with the elements of the cervical vascular-neural fasciculi, the sternocleidomastoid muscle, the clavicle, etc. There is a correlative dependence between the position of the external reference points and topographic peculiarities of the cervical part of the thoracic duct. A technique is suggested to calculate the projection zone of the cervical part of the thoracic duct in every case with the aim to choose a rational approach for the external drainage.
Adult Aged