Chyle cistern

Chyle Cistern (also known as Cisterna Chyli or Receptaculum Chyli) is a dilated sac at the lower end of the thoracic duct into which lymph from the intestinal trunk and two lumbar lymphatic trunks flow. It is the largest lymphatic vessel in the human body, and its primary function is to transport lymph and chyle from the digestive system to the bloodstream.

Anatomy

The Chyle Cistern is located in the posterior part of the abdomen, typically resting on the first and second lumbar vertebrae. It is usually positioned to the right of the aorta, and it extends from the level of the twelfth thoracic vertebra to the level of the fifth lumbar vertebra. The cistern is formed by the confluence of the right and left lumbar trunks and the intestinal trunk, and it continues as the thoracic duct.

Function

The primary function of the Chyle Cistern is to receive lymph from the lower half of the body and from the left side of the body above the diaphragm. It also receives chyle, a milky bodily fluid containing fats and lipids, from the intestines during digestion. The cistern then transports these substances into the bloodstream via the thoracic duct.

Clinical Significance

The Chyle Cistern can be affected by various medical conditions, including lymphoma, lymphedema, and chylous ascites. It can also be damaged during surgical procedures in the abdomen, leading to the leakage of lymph and chyle into the abdominal cavity.

See Also

• Lymphatic system
• Thoracic duct
• Lymph

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