SynthesisPhysiological reports2026
The physiology of thoracic duct pressure and flow: A review of the literature.
Synthesis in Physiological reports, 2026. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 1 paper, 1 of them a synthesis that pooled it.
What it found
Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.
The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.
The trial behind it
Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.
Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.
Who cites it
1 citing paper in PubMed, 1 synthesis or guideline pooled it.
- The physiology of thoracic duct pressure and flow: A review of the literature.Physiological reports · 2026Pooled it
Corrections and comments
PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.
Authors and funding
7 authors.
Funding
No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.
Abstract
The thoracic duct (TD) is the largest vessel of the lymphatic system, transporting interstitial fluid, macromolecules, and immune cells into the venous circulation via the lymphovenous junction. Respiratory and circulatory forces have been proposed as key drivers of TD lymph propulsion; however, the literature reports inconsistent findings. This study systematically reviews the effects of respiration and circulation on TD lymph flow and pressure in humans and non-human mammals. A systematic review was conducted in accordance with PRISMA guidelines using MEDLINE, Embase, and Google Scholar databases. Studies published up to August 2025 were included with no language or past date restrictions. Twenty-three human and animal studies met the inclusion criteria. Respiratory activity influenced TD flow and/or pressure in 5/6 human and 12/17 animal studies. Circulatory influences were reported in 3/6 human and 8/17 animal studies. Intrinsic TD contractility was described in 3/6 human and 6/17 animal studies and was identified as an independent contributor to lymph propulsion. Overall, reported effects ranged from absent to highly synchronous physiological coupling. Evidence regarding respiratory and circulatory influences on TD lymphodynamics remains inconsistent, reflecting methodological heterogeneity. Findings should be considered hypothesis-generating and highlight the need for modern imaging and standardized physiological protocols.
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What OpenQuestion holds
Registered trials
Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.