In human
anatomy, the
thoracic duct is the largest
lymphatic vessel of the
lymphatic system. It is also known as the
left lymphatic duct,
alimentary duct,
chyliferous duct, and
Van Hoorne's canal. It carries
chyle, a liquid containing both lymph and emulsified fats, rather than pure
lymph. Thus when it ruptures, the resulting flood of liquid into the
pleural cavity is known as
chylothorax.