胸导管是人和羊膜动物体中最长最大的淋巴管。

胸导管自乳糜池经主动脉裂孔进入胸腔；

沿脊柱右前方和胸主动脉与奇静脉之间上行，经食管与脊柱之间向左侧斜行，然后沿脊柱左前方上行，经胸廓上口至颈部；

在左颈总动脉和左颈内静脉的后方转向前内下方，注入左静脉角。

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.