Thoracic part of thoracic duct

After its short abdominal part, the thoracic duct continues in the thoracic cavity to form the thoracic part of thoracic duct that is usually situated between the azygos vein on the right and the aorta on the left, extending from the level of the diaphragm to the root of the neck. It travels posterior to the esophagus and anterior to the vertebral column, crossing from the right to the left side of the body at the level of the fifth thoracic vertebra (T5).

It received the intercostal lymphatic trunks, and is continued by the cervical part of thoracic duct.