Lymphatic Trunks

Lymphatic trunks drain lymph from the larger areas of the body, and they are named for the areas that they serve. The "lumbar trunk" drains lymph from the legs, lower abdominal wall, and the pelvic organs; the "intestinal trunk" drains organs of the abdominal cavity; the "intercostal" and "bronchomediastinal trunks" receive lymph from portions of the thorax; the "subclavian trunk" drains the arm; and the "jugular trunk" drains parts of the neck and head. These trunks then join one of two collecting ducts: the thoracic duct or the right lymphatic duct. After leaving these collecting ducts, lymph enters the veins to become part of the plasma, just before the blood returns to the right atrium of the heart.