A sac in the back of the pelvic region that drains the lymph from the intestinal tract, pelvis and legs, and acts as the beginning of the thoracic duct. See LACTEALS, THORACIC DUCT
n. (pl. cisternae) 1. one of the enlarged spaces beneath the *arachnoid that act as reservoirs for cerebrospinal fluid. The largest (cisterna magna) lies beneath the cerebellum and behind the medulla oblongata. 2. a dilatation at the lower end of the thoracic duct, into which the great lymph ducts of the lower limbs drain.... cisterna
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