Which duct drains into the right subclavian vein and is relatively short?

Prepare for the VTCT Level 2 Facial and Skincare Test. Revise with flashcards and multiple choice questions, accompanied by insightful explanations. Ace your assessment with confidence!

Multiple Choice

Which duct drains into the right subclavian vein and is relatively short?

Lymphatic drainage patterns determine which duct carries lymph to a particular vein. The right lymphatic duct is the vessel that drains lymph from the upper right portion of the body—right side of the head and neck, right upper limb, and right side of the thorax—and it terminates at the right venous angle where the right subclavian and right internal jugular veins meet. Because it serves only the right upper quadrant, it is relatively short. By contrast, the thoracic duct handles the rest of the body and drains into the left subclavian vein, so it is much longer. The other options aren’t ducts that drain into the right subclavian vein (they’re either not ducts or drain elsewhere). So the right lymphatic duct is the correct choice.

Lymphatic drainage patterns determine which duct carries lymph to a particular vein. The right lymphatic duct is the vessel that drains lymph from the upper right portion of the body—right side of the head and neck, right upper limb, and right side of the thorax—and it terminates at the right venous angle where the right subclavian and right internal jugular veins meet. Because it serves only the right upper quadrant, it is relatively short.

By contrast, the thoracic duct handles the rest of the body and drains into the left subclavian vein, so it is much longer. The other options aren’t ducts that drain into the right subclavian vein (they’re either not ducts or drain elsewhere). So the right lymphatic duct is the correct choice.

More practice questions