The thoracic duct is the channel for the collection of ~lymph~ from the portion of the body below the diaphram and from the left side of the body above the |diaphragm|. It is a long duct, approximately 16 inches (40 centimeters) in the average adult. It extends from the lower |spine| (2nd |lumbar vertebrae|) to the left |subclavian vein| where it drains. The thoracic duct and the lymphatic duct, together, empty between 4 to 10 milliliters of ~lymph~ into the ~blood~ every minute.
