Editing Retroperitoneum (section)

== Lymphatic system ==

* '''Lymph generally flows cephalad from right to left until it returns to the venous circulation at the left innominate (brachiocephalic) vein.'''
** Lymphatic fluid from the head, neck, right thorax, right arm, and right heart drains into the right innominate vein
* The lymphatic fluid from the pelvis and lower extremities drains into the internal iliac, external iliac, common iliac, obturator, and sacral nodes. These nodal regions then drain cephalad toward the lumbar nodes
* '''The efferent lymphatics of the lateral lumbar nodes coalesce to form the right and left lumbar trunks. Posterior to the right side of the abdominal aorta and anterior to the L1 and L2 vertebrae, these trunks come together at a saccular dilated structure known as the cisterna chyli. This marks the beginning of the thoracic duct, which runs cephalad posterior to the aorta and empties into the left innominate vein.'''