any of the lymphatic vessels that convey chyle from the small intestine to the thoracic duct
<noun.body> [ adj ]
relating to or consisting of or producing or resembling milk
<adj.pert> lacteal fluids lacteal organs
Lacteal \Lac"te*al\, a. [L. lacteus milky, fr. lac, lactis, milk. Cf. {Galaxy}, {Lettuce}.] 1. Pertaining to, or resembling, milk; milky; as, the lacteal fluid.
2. (Anat. & Physiol.) Pertaining to, or containing, chyle; as, the lacteal vessels.
Lacteal \Lac"te*al\, n. (Anat.) One of the lymphatic vessels which convey chyle from the small intestine through the mesenteric glands to the thoracic duct; a chyliferous vessel.