Inferior vena cava 242146 223604354 2008-07-04T21:04:15Z Nicke L 296642 +[[sv:Undre hålvenen]] {{Infobox Vein | Name = {{PAGENAME}} | Latin = vena cava inferior | GraySubject = 173 | GrayPage = 677 | Imagemap = {{Heart diagram 250px}} | Caption = Anterior (frontal) view of the opened heart. White arrows indicate normal blood flow. | Image2 = | Caption2 = | DrainsFrom = | Source = [[common iliac vein]]<BR>[[lumbar veins]]<BR>[[testicular vein]]<BR>[[renal vein]]<BR>[[suprarenal vein]]<BR>[[hepatic vein]] | DrainsTo = [[heart]] | Artery = [[abdominal aorta]] | MeshName = Vena+Cava,+Inferior | MeshNumber = A07.231.908.949.648| }} The '''inferior vena cava''' (or IVC) is the large [[vein]] that carries de-oxygenated [[blood]] from the lower half of the body into the [[heart]]. It is [[posterior]] to the abdominal cavity and runs alongside of the [[vertebral column]] on its right side (i.e. it is a [[retroperitoneal]] structure). It enters the [[right atrium]] at the lower right, back side of the heart. ==Drainage patterns== The IVC is formed by the joining of the left and right [[common iliac vein]]s and brings blood into the [[right atrium]] of the heart. It also [[Anastomosis|anastomoses]] with the [[azygos vein]] system (which runs on the right side of the vertebral column) and the venous [[plexus]]es next to the [[spinal cord]]. The [[caval opening]] is at T8. The specific levels of the branches are as follows: {| class="wikitable" | '''Vein''' || '''Level''' |- | [[inferior phrenic vein]] || T8 |- | [[hepatic vein]] || T8 |- | [[suprarenal veins]] || L1 |- | [[renal vein]] || L1 |- | [[gonadal vein]]|| L2 |- | [[lumbar veins]] || L1-L5 |- | [[common iliac vein]] || L5 |} Because the IVC is not centrally located, there are some asymmetries in drainage patterns. The [[gonadal vein]]s and [[suprarenal vein]]s drain into the IVC on the right side, but into the [[renal vein]] on the left side, which in turn drains into the IVC. By contrast, all the [[lumbar veins]] and [[hepatic veins]] usually drain directly into the IVC. Note that the vein that carries de-oxygenated blood from the upper half of the body is the [[superior vena cava]]. ==Pathologies associated with the IVC== Health problems attributed to the IVC are most often associated with it being compressed (ruptures are rare because it has a low intraluminal [[pressure]]). Typical sources of external pressure are an enlarged [[aorta]] ([[abdominal aortic aneurysm]]), the [[pregnant|gravid]] [[uterus]] ([[aortocaval compression syndrome]]) and abdominal maligancies, such as [[colorectal cancer]], [[renal cell carcinoma]] and [[ovarian cancer]]. Since the inferior vena cava is primarily a right-sided structure, unconscious pregnant females should be turned on to their left side (the [[recovery position]]), to relieve pressure on it and facilitate venous return. In rare cases, straining associated with [[defecation]] can lead to restricted blood flow through the IVC and result in [[fainting|syncope]] (fainting).<ref>Brophy CM, Evans L, Sumpio BE. Defecation syncope secondary to functional inferior vena caval obstruction during a Valsalva maneuver. Ann Vasc Surg. 1993 Jul;7(4):374-7. PMID 8268080.</ref> Occlusion of the IVC is rare, but considered life-threatening and is an emergency. It is associated with [[deep vein thrombosis]], [[IVC filter]]s, [[liver transplantation]] and instrumentation (e.g. [[catheter]] in the [[femoral vein]]).<ref>Geehan DM, Inferior Vena Caval Thrombosis, emedicine.com, URL: http://www.emedicine.com/med/topic2718.htm, Accessed: August 3, 2005.</ref> ==Embryology== In the [[embryo]], the IVC and right atrium are separated by the [[Eustachian valve]], also known in [[Latin]] as the ''valvula venae cavae inferiore'' (valve of the inferior vena cava). In the adult, this structure typically has totally regressed or remains as a small endocardial fold.<ref>Yavuz T, Nazli C, Kinay O, Kutsal A. Giant eustachian valve with echocardiographic appearance of divided right atrium. Tex Heart Inst J. 2002;29(4):336-8. PMID 12484622 [http://www.pubmedcentral.nih.gov/articlerender.fcgi?artid=140300 Full Text].</ref> ==Additional images== <gallery> Image:Gray480.png|Diagram showing completion of development of the parietal veins. Image:Gray491.png|Base and diaphragmatic surface of heart. Image:Gray505.png|The arch of the aorta, and its branches. Image:Gray577.png|Superior vena cava, inferior vena cava, azygos vein and their tributaries. Image:Gray1032.png|The position and relation of the esophagus in the cervical region and in the posterior mediastinum. Seen from behind. Image:Gray1111.png|Transverse section of human embryo eight and a half to nine weeks old. Image:Illu liver gallbladder.jpg|Liver and gallbladder </gallery> ==See also== *[[Inferior vena cava filter]] *[[Inferior vena cava syndrome]] *[[Recovery position]] *[[Superior vena cava]] ==References== <references/> ==External links== * {{WhoNamedIt|synd|1462}} - "Eustachian valve" * {{SUNYAnatomyLabs|40|13|01|01}} - "Posterior Abdominal Wall: Tributaries to the Inferior Vena Cava" * {{SUNYAnatomyImage|8|8|27}} * {{ViennaCrossSection|pembody/body12a}} {{Veins}} [[Category:Abdomen]] [[Category:Veins]] [[ar:وريد أجوف سفلي]] [[cs:Dolní dutá žíla]] [[de:Vena cava inferior]] [[eu:Beheko kaba]] [[fr:Veine cave inférieure]] [[it:Vena cava inferiore]] [[hu:Vena cava inferior]] [[nl:Vena cava inferior]] [[pl:Żyła główna dolna]] [[pt:Veia cava inferior]] [[ru:Полая нижняя вена]] [[sk:Dolná dutá žila]] [[fi:Alaonttolaskimo]] [[sv:Undre hålvenen]]