Azygous vein Flashcards
What does the azygos vein drain?
Thoracic wall and upper lumbar region
What does the azygos vein connect?
Superior and inferior venae cavae
What does ‘azygos’ mean?
Unpaired
Where is the azygos vein located?
Upper part of posterior abdominal wall and posterior mediastinum
What venous systems does the azygos vein connect?
Portal, caval, and vertebral venous systems
What veins form the azygos vein?
Lumbar azygos, right subcostal, and right ascending lumbar veins
What is the lumbar azygos vein considered as?
Abdominal part of the azygos vein
Where does the lumbar azygos vein lie?
Right of the lumbar vertebrae
What does the lower end of the lumbar azygos vein communicate with?
Inferior vena cava
Which vein accompanies the right subcostal artery?
Right subcostal vein
How is the ascending lumbar vein formed?
Vertical anastomoses connecting lumbar veins
What alternative way can the azygos vein be formed?
Union of right subcostal and ascending lumbar veins
Through which opening does the azygos vein enter the thorax?
Aortic opening of the diaphragm
Where does the azygos vein arch forward?
Over the root of the right lung Where does the azygos vein terminate?
Where does the azygos vein join?
Superior vena cava
What is located anterior to the azygos vein?
Oesophagus
Which structures are posterior to the azygos vein?
Lower eight thoracic vertebrae and right posterior intercostal arteries
What is located to the right of the azygos vein?
Right lung, pleura, and greater splanchnic nerve
What is located to the left of the azygos vein?
Thoracic duct, aorta (lower part), oesophagus, trachea, and vagus nerve (upper part)
What forms the right superior intercostal vein?
Second, third, and fourth posterior intercostal veins
Which posterior intercostal veins drain into the azygos vein?
Fifth to eleventh right posterior intercostal veins
Where does the hemiazygos vein join the azygos vein?
Lower border of the eighth thoracic vertebra
Where does the accessory hemiazygos vein join the azygos vein?
Upper border of the eighth thoracic vertebra
Which bronchial vein is a tributary of the azygos vein?
Right bronchial vein
Which small veins drain into the azygos vein?
Oesophageal, mediastinal, and pericardial veins
What is another name for the hemiazygos vein?
Inferior hemiazygos vein
How is the hemiazygos vein described in relation to the azygos vein?
Mirror image of lower part of azygos vein
Which veins form the hemiazygos vein?
Left lumbar azygos, left ascending lumbar, and left subcostal veins
Through which structure does the hemiazygos vein pierce the diaphragm?
Left crus of the diaphragm
Where does the hemiazygos vein turn right?
Level of eighth thoracic vertebra Which structures does the hemiazygos vein pass behind?
Which veins are tributaries of the hemiazygos vein?
Ninth to eleventh left posterior intercostal veins and oesophageal veins
What is another name for the accessory hemiazygos vein?
Superior hemiazygos vein
How is the accessory hemiazygos vein described in relation to the azygos vein?
Mirror image of upper part of azygos vein
Where does the accessory hemiazygos vein begin?
Medial end of fourth or fifth intercostal space
Where does the accessory hemiazygos vein turn right?
Level of eighth thoracic vertebra
Which structures does the accessory hemiazygos vein pass behind?
Aorta and thoracic duct
Which veins drain into the accessory hemiazygos vein?
Fifth to eighth left posterior intercostal veins and sometimes left bronchial veins
