Inferior vena cava

 

 

 

Formation

Union of common iliac veins

Extents

From: Lower border of L4 in the inter tubercular plane
To:    T7

Termination: Right atrium

Course and relations

  • On the right- psoas major

  • To the right of the abdominal aorta

  • May groove or tunnel liver

  • Traverses IVC hiatus of diaphragm

  • Pierces fibrous pericardium
Anterior relations Posterior relations
  • Horizontal part of duodenum
  • Head of pancereas
  • Epiploic foramen
  • Right and caudate lobes of the liver
  • Right sympathetic trunk
  • Right lower lumbar arteries
  • Right renal artery
  • Right crus of diaphragm


Tributaries

  • Mainly correspond to the branches of the abdominal aorta

Note: Left and right and occasionally middle hepatic vein


Territory of drainage

  • The body below the thoracic diaphragm

 
 
Posterior abdominal wall and diaphragm