Inferior vena cava
Encyclopedia
The inferior vena cava also known as the posterior vena cava, is the large vein
that carries de-oxygenated blood
from the lower half of the body into the right atrium
of 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.
s and brings blood into the right atrium
of the heart. It also anastomoses
with the azygos vein
system (which runs on the right side of the vertebral column) and venous plexus
es next to the spinal cord
.
The caval opening
is at T8. The specific levels of the tributaries are as follows:
Because the IVC is not centrally located, there are some asymmetries in drainage patterns. The gonadal vein
s and suprarenal veins 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.
The tributaries of Inferior vena cava can be remembered using the mnemonic
, "I Like To Rise So High", for Illiac vein (common), Lumbar vein, Testicular vein, Renal vein, Suprarenal vein and Hepatic vein.
Note that the vein that carries de-oxygenated blood from the upper half of the body is the superior vena cava
.
). Typical sources of external pressure are an enlarged aorta
(abdominal aortic aneurysm
), the 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 syncope (fainting).
Occlusion of the IVC is rare, but considered life-threatening and is an emergency. It is associated with deep vein thrombosis
, IVC filters, liver transplantation
and instrumentation (e.g. catheter
in the femoral vein
).
, the IVC and right atrium are separated by the Eustachian valve, also known in Latin
as the valvula venae cavae inferioris (valve of the inferior vena cava). In the adult, this structure typically has totally regressed or remains as a small endocardial fold.
Vein
In the circulatory system, veins are blood vessels that carry blood towards the heart. Most veins carry deoxygenated blood from the tissues back to the heart; exceptions are the pulmonary and umbilical veins, both of which carry oxygenated blood to the heart...
that carries de-oxygenated blood
Blood
Blood is a specialized bodily fluid in animals that delivers necessary substances such as nutrients and oxygen to the cells and transports metabolic waste products away from those same cells....
from the lower half of the body into the right atrium
Right atrium
The right atrium is one of four chambers in the hearts of mammals and archosaurs...
of the heart
Heart
The heart is a myogenic muscular organ found in all animals with a circulatory system , that is responsible for pumping blood throughout the blood vessels by repeated, rhythmic contractions...
.
It is posterior to the abdominal cavity and runs alongside of the vertebral column
Vertebral column
In human anatomy, the vertebral column is a column usually consisting of 24 articulating vertebrae, and 9 fused vertebrae in the sacrum and the coccyx. It is situated in the dorsal aspect of the torso, separated by intervertebral discs...
on its right side (i.e. it is a retroperitoneal structure). It enters the right atrium
Right atrium
The right atrium is one of four chambers in the hearts of mammals and archosaurs...
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 veinCommon iliac vein
In human anatomy, the common iliac veins are formed by the external iliac veins and internal iliac veins and together, in the abdomen at the level of the fifth lumbar vertebrae, form the inferior vena cava. They drain blood from the pelvis and lower limbs....
s and brings blood into the right atrium
Right atrium
The right atrium is one of four chambers in the hearts of mammals and archosaurs...
of the heart. It also anastomoses
Anastomosis
An anastomosis is the reconnection of two streams that previously branched out, such as blood vessels or leaf veins. The term is used in medicine, biology, mycology and geology....
with the azygos vein
Azygos vein
The azygos vein is a vein running up the right side of the thoracic vertebral column. It can also provide an alternate path for blood to the right atrium by allowing the blood to flow between the venae cavae when one vena cava is blocked.-Structure:...
system (which runs on the right side of the vertebral column) and venous plexus
Plexus
A plexus is a part of nervous system. Plexus has a slightly different definition in vertebrates and in invertebrates.- In vertebrates :In vertebrates, a plexus is an area where nerves branch and rejoin. The electrical signals do not mix; rather, the fibres travel together with their electrical...
es next to the spinal cord
Spinal cord
The spinal cord is a long, thin, tubular bundle of nervous tissue and support cells that extends from the brain . The brain and spinal cord together make up the central nervous system...
.
The caval opening
Caval opening
The caval opening is a hiatus in the diaphragm of humans through which passes the inferior vena cava, the wall of which is adherent to the margins of the opening, and some branches of the right phrenic nerve....
is at T8. The specific levels of the tributaries are as follows:
| Vein | Level >- | hepatic veins |
>- | >- | >- | >- | >- | >- | L5 |
Because the IVC is not centrally located, there are some asymmetries in drainage patterns. The gonadal vein
Gonadal vein
In medicine, gonadal vein refers to the blood vessel that carrying blood away from the gonad toward the heart.* Females : ovarian vein* Males : testicular vein...
s and suprarenal veins drain into the IVC on the right side, but into the renal vein
Renal vein
The renal veins are veins that drain the kidney. They connect the kidney to the inferior vena cava.It is usually singular to each kidney, except in the condition "multiple renal veins".It also divides into 2 divisions upon entering the kidney:...
on the left side, which in turn drains into the IVC. By contrast, all the lumbar veins
Lumbar veins
The lumbar veins are veins running along the inside of the posterior abdominal wall. They are the lumbar equivalent of the posterior intercostal veins.-See also:* Posterior intercostal veins* Subcostal vein* Ascending lumbar vein...
and hepatic veins usually drain directly into the IVC.
The tributaries of Inferior vena cava can be remembered using the mnemonic
Mnemonic
A mnemonic , or mnemonic device, is any learning technique that aids memory. To improve long term memory, mnemonic systems are used to make memorization easier. Commonly encountered mnemonics are often verbal, such as a very short poem or a special word used to help a person remember something,...
, "I Like To Rise So High", for Illiac vein (common), Lumbar vein, Testicular vein, Renal vein, Suprarenal vein and Hepatic vein.
Note that the vein that carries de-oxygenated blood from the upper half of the body is the superior vena cava
Superior vena cava
The superior vena cava is truly superior, a large diameter, yet short, vein that carries deoxygenated blood from the upper half of the body to the heart's right atrium...
.
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 pressurePressure
Pressure is the force per unit area applied in a direction perpendicular to the surface of an object. Gauge pressure is the pressure relative to the local atmospheric or ambient pressure.- Definition :...
). Typical sources of external pressure are an enlarged aorta
Aorta
The aorta is the largest artery in the body, originating from the left ventricle of the heart and extending down to the abdomen, where it branches off into two smaller arteries...
(abdominal aortic aneurysm
Abdominal aortic aneurysm
Abdominal aortic aneurysm is a localized dilatation of the abdominal aorta exceeding the normal diameter by more than 50 percent, and is the most common form of aortic aneurysm...
), the gravid uterus
Uterus
The uterus or womb is a major female hormone-responsive reproductive sex organ of most mammals including humans. One end, the cervix, opens into the vagina, while the other is connected to one or both fallopian tubes, depending on the species...
(aortocaval compression syndrome
Aortocaval compression syndrome
Aortocaval compression syndrome, is compression of the abdominal aorta and inferior vena cava by the gravid uterus when a pregnant woman lies on her back, i.e. in the supine position...
) and abdominal maligancies, such as colorectal cancer
Colorectal cancer
Colorectal cancer, commonly known as bowel cancer, is a cancer caused by uncontrolled cell growth , in the colon, rectum, or vermiform appendix. Colorectal cancer is clinically distinct from anal cancer, which affects the anus....
, renal cell carcinoma
Renal cell carcinoma
Renal cell carcinoma is a kidney cancer that originates in the lining of the proximal convoluted tubule, the very small tubes in the kidney that filter the blood and remove waste products. RCC is the most common type of kidney cancer in adults, responsible for approximately 80% of cases...
and ovarian cancer
Ovarian cancer
Ovarian cancer is a cancerous growth arising from the ovary. Symptoms are frequently very subtle early on and may include: bloating, pelvic pain, difficulty eating and frequent urination, and are easily confused with other illnesses....
. 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
Recovery position
The recovery position refers to one of a series of variations on a lateral recumbent or three-quarters prone position of the body, in to which an unconscious but breathing casualty can be placed as part of first aid treatment.An unconscious person The recovery position refers to one of a series of...
), to relieve pressure on it and facilitate venous return. In rare cases, straining associated with defecation
Defecation
Defecation is the final act of digestion by which organisms eliminate solid, semisolid or liquid waste material from the digestive tract via the anus. Waves of muscular contraction known as peristalsis in the walls of the colon move fecal matter through the digestive tract towards the rectum...
can lead to restricted blood flow through the IVC and result in syncope (fainting).
Occlusion of the IVC is rare, but considered life-threatening and is an emergency. It is associated with deep vein thrombosis
Deep vein thrombosis
Deep vein thrombosis is the formation of a blood clot in a deep vein. Deep vein thrombosis commonly affects the leg veins or the deep veins of the pelvis. Occasionally the veins of the arm are affected...
, IVC filters, liver transplantation
Liver transplantation
Liver transplantation or hepatic transplantation is the replacement of a diseased liver with a healthy liver allograft. The most commonly used technique is orthotopic transplantation, in which the native liver is removed and replaced by the donor organ in the same anatomic location as the original...
and instrumentation (e.g. catheter
Catheter
In medicine, a catheter is a tube that can be inserted into a body cavity, duct, or vessel. Catheters thereby allow drainage, administration of fluids or gases, or access by surgical instruments. The process of inserting a catheter is catheterization...
in the femoral vein
Femoral vein
In the human body, the femoral vein is a blood vessel that accompanies the femoral artery in the femoral sheath. It begins at the adductor canal and is a continuation of the popliteal vein...
).
Embryology
In the embryoEmbryo
An embryo is a multicellular diploid eukaryote in its earliest stage of development, from the time of first cell division until birth, hatching, or germination...
, the IVC and right atrium are separated by the Eustachian valve, also known in Latin
Latin
Latin is an Italic language originally spoken in Latium and Ancient Rome. It, along with most European languages, is a descendant of the ancient Proto-Indo-European language. Although it is considered a dead language, a number of scholars and members of the Christian clergy speak it fluently, and...
as the valvula venae cavae inferioris (valve of the inferior vena cava). In the adult, this structure typically has totally regressed or remains as a small endocardial fold.
See also
- Inferior vena cava filterInferior vena cava filterAn inferior vena cava filter, also IVC filter or Greenfield Filter a type of vascular filter, is a medical device that is implanted by interventional radiologists or vascular surgeons into the inferior vena cava to prevent fatal pulmonary emboli .IVC filters are used in case of contraindication to...
- Inferior vena cava syndromeInferior vena cava syndromeInferior vena cava syndrome is a result of obstruction of the inferior vena cava. It can be caused by invasion or compression by a pathological process or by thrombosis in the vein itself.-Frequency:...
- Recovery positionRecovery positionThe recovery position refers to one of a series of variations on a lateral recumbent or three-quarters prone position of the body, in to which an unconscious but breathing casualty can be placed as part of first aid treatment.An unconscious person The recovery position refers to one of a series of...
- Superior vena cavaSuperior vena cavaThe superior vena cava is truly superior, a large diameter, yet short, vein that carries deoxygenated blood from the upper half of the body to the heart's right atrium...