Chyle cistern
Cisterna chyli
- Eponym: Pecquet
Definition
The cisterna chyli in domestic animals is a dilated lymphatic structure that serves as the origin of the thoracic duct. In dogs and cats, it is most commonly located dorsal or right dorsolateral to the abdominal aorta, typically between the first and fourth lumbar vertebrae (L1–L4), though it may extend as cranially as T11 in some cases.
The structure is variably shaped, appearing as a crescent, globular, or tubular formation, and may wrap around the aorta. In dogs the The cisterna chyli is bipartite, with a dorsal part and a ventral part. It is Its size is highly variable, with reported maximum diameters in dogs ranging from 5 to 13 mm and lengths up to 150 mm.
The cisterna chyli acts as a reservoir for lymph collected from the caudal parts of the body. It receives lymph from various lymh trunks:
References
Evans HE, de Lahunta A. Miller’s Anatomy of the Dog. 5th ed. St. Louis: Elsevier; 2020.
Anatomie comparée des mammifères domestiques: angiologie T5, Robert Barone - Vigot
