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Department of Neurobiology and Developmental Sciences: Human Structure Module
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Selected Veins of the Abdomen

Note: Many veins follow the branching and distribution pattern of the artery of the same name. This table contains veins that do not travel with an artery of the same name, or that run an independent course from the artery of the same name.

VeinTributariesDrains IntoRegions DrainedNotes
anterior inferior pancreaticoduodenal v.numerous unnamed tributaries from the duodenum and pancreasinferior pancreaticoduodenal v.anterior part of the head of the pancreas; anterior aspect of the 1st and 2nd parts of the duodenum anterior inferior pancreaticoduodenal v. connects with the anterior superior pancreaticoduodenal v
anterior superior pancreaticoduodenal v.numerous unnamed tributaries from the duodenum and pancreasright gastro-omental v.anterior part of the head of the pancreas; anterior aspect of the 1st and 2nd parts of the duodenum anterior superior pancreaticoduodenal v. connects with the anterior inferior pancreaticoduodenal v
ascending lumbar v.lumbar vv. 1-4right: azygos v.; left: hemiazygos v.posterior abdominal wallascending lumbar v. connects adjacent lumbar vv.
azygos v.formed by the union of the ascending lumbar v. and the subcostal v.; tributaries: posterior intercostal vv. 11-2 (right superior intercostal), hemiazygos v., accessory hemiazygos v., esophageal v., right bronchial v.posterior surface of the superior vena cavalateral and posterior walls of the abdomen and chest; esophagus; bronchial treemay connect with the inferior vena cava; arch of azygos passes superior to the root of the lung
cystic v.veins of the gall bladder and common bile ductdirectly into the liver at the bed of the gall bladder gall bladderthese multiple small vs. drain the gall bladder and cystic duct directly into the liver
esophageal v.tributaries are unnamedazygos v.; hemiazygos v.esophagusesophageal vv. connect with the esophageal brs. of the left gastric, forming a potential portal-caval venous anastomosis (esophageal varices when enlarged)
gastric, leftesophageal vv.; gastric brs.portal v.lesser curvature of the stomach, lower part of the esophagusleft gastric v. communicates with the esophageal vv., forming a portal-caval venous anastomosis (esophageal varices when enlarged); the left gastric v. and right gastric v. are together called the coronary v. because they form a circle
gastric, rightgastric brs.portal v.lesser curvature of the stomachthe left gastric v. and right gastric v. are together called the coronary v. because they form a circle
gastro-omental, leftgastric brs., omental brs.splenic v.greater curvature of the stomach and the greater omentumalso known as: left gastroepiploic v.
gastro-omental, rightgastric brs., omental brs.superior mesenteric v.greater curvature of the stomach and the greater omentumalso known as: right gastroepiploic v.
hepatic, leftsegmental vv.inferior vena cavaentire lateral segment of the left lobe of the liver; superior portion of the medial segment of the left lobe of the liverthe lumen of the left hepatic v. is clearly visible within the portion of the inferior vena cave that passes through the liver
hepatic, middlesegmental vv.inferior vena cavainferior portion of the medial segment of the left lobe of the liver; inferior part of the anterior segment of the right lobe of the liverthe lumen of the middle hepatic v. is clearly visible within the portion of the inferior vena cave that passes through the liver
hepatic, rightsegmental vv.inferior vena cavasuperior portion of the anterior segment of the right lobe of the liver; entire posterior segment of the liverthe lumen of the right hepatic v. is clearly visible within the portion of the inferior vena cave that passes through the liver
inferior mesenteric v.superior rectal v., sigmoid v., left colic v.splenic v. (or the junction of the splenic v. and superior mesenteric v.)gut from the left colic flexure distally (hindgut derivatives)when the inferior mesenteric v.joins the splenic v., it courses lateral to the 4th part of the duodenum
inferior pancreaticoduodenal v.anterior inferior and posterior inferior pancreaticoduodenal vv.superior mesenteric v.lower part of duodenum & head of pancreasconnects with anterior & posterior superior pancreaticoduodenal vv.
inferior phrenic v.unnamed tributaries from the respiratory diaphragmright: inferior vena cava; left: left suprarenal v. or inferior vena cavadiaphragmleft inferior phrenic v. may be paired
inferior vena cavaformed by the union of the paired common iliac vv; tributaries: lumbar vv. 1-4, right ovarian/testicular v., renal vv., right suprarenal v., right inferior phrenic v., hepatic vv.right atriumall of the body below the level of the respiratory diaphragmthe inferior vena cava is longer than the abdominal aorta
intercostal, posteriorlateral cutaneous br.1st: brachiocephalic v.; 2nd-4th: superior intercostal v.; right 5th-11th: azygos v.; left 5th-7th or 8th: accessory hemiazygos v.; left 9th-11th: hemiazygos v. intercostal space including skin, muscles and adjacent ribs; the spinal cord at that segmental level and the corresponding vertebrathe difference in termination of the intercostal vv. of the left and right sides is explained by the embryonic origin of the azygos system from the (originally symmetrical) supracardinal vv.
left gastric v.esophageal vv.; gastric brs.portal v.lesser curvature of the stomach, lower part of the esophagusleft gastric v. communicates with the esophageal vv., forming a portal-caval venous anastomosis (esophageal varices when enlarged); the left gastric v. and right gastric v. are together called the coronary v. because they form a circle
left gastro-omental v.gastric brs., omental brs.splenic v.greater curvature of the stomach and the greater omentumalso known as: left gastroepiploic v.
left hepatic v.segmental vv.inferior vena cavaentire lateral segment of the left lobe of the liver; superior portion of the medial segment of the left lobe of the liverthe lumen of the left hepatic v. is clearly visible within the portion of the inferior vena cave that passes through the liver
left renal v.left ovarian/testicular v., left suprarenal v., sometime the left inferior phrenic v.inferior vena cavaleft ovary/testis; left ureter; left kidney; left suprarenal gland; left part of the respiratory diaphragmleft renal v. crosses the abdominal aorta under the origin of the superior mesenteric a., creating a site of potential compression of the left renal vein
lumbar, ascendinglumbar vv. 1-4right: azygos v.; left: hemiazygos v.posterior abdominal wallascending lumbar v. connects adjacent lumbar vv.
mesenteric, inferiorsuperior rectal v., sigmoid v., left colic v.splenic v. (or the junction of the splenic v. and superior mesenteric v.)gut from the left colic flexure distally (hindgut derivatives)when the inferior mesenteric v.joins the splenic v., it courses lateral to the 4th part of the duodenum
middle hepatic v.segmental vv.inferior vena cavainferior portion of the medial segment of the left lobe of the liver; inferior part of the anterior segment of the right lobe of the liverthe lumen of the middle hepatic v. is clearly visible within the portion of the inferior vena cave that passes through the liver
pancreaticoduodenal, anterior inferiornumerous unnamed tributaries from the duodenum and pancreasinferior pancreaticoduodenal v.anterior part of the head of the pancreas; anterior aspect of the 1st and 2nd parts of the duodenum anterior inferior pancreaticoduodenal v. connects with the anterior superior pancreaticoduodenal v
pancreaticoduodenal, anterior superiornumerous unnamed tributaries from the duodenum and pancreasright gastro-omental v.anterior part of the head of the pancreas; anterior aspect of the 1st and 2nd parts of the duodenum anterior superior pancreaticoduodenal v. connects with the anterior inferior pancreaticoduodenal v
pancreaticoduodenal, inferioranterior inferior and posterior inferior pancreaticoduodenal vv.superior mesenteric v.lower part of duodenum & head of pancreasconnects with anterior & posterior superior pancreaticoduodenal vv.
pancreaticoduodenal, posterior inferiornumerous unnamed tributaries from the duodenum and pancreasinferior pancreaticoduodenal v.posterior part of the head of the pancreas; posterior aspect of the 1st and 2nd parts of the duodenum posterior inferior pancreaticoduodenal v. connects with the posterior superior pancreaticoduodenal v
pancreaticoduodenal, posterior superiornumerous unnamed tributaries from the duodenum and pancreasportal v.posterior part of the head of the pancreas; posterior aspect of the 1st and 2nd parts of the duodenumposterior superior pancreaticoduodenal v. connects with the posterior inferior pancreaticoduodenal v.
paraumbilical v.unnamed tributaries from the superficial fascia of the anterior abdominal wall umbilical part of left branch of portal veinfalciform ligament, round ligament of the liverparaumbilical v. represents a potential site of portal-caval anastomosis; blood may pass retrogradely into the anterior body wall veins near the umbilicus, creating caput medusa clinical sign
phrenic, inferiorunnamed tributaries from the respiratory diaphragmright: inferior vena cava; left: left suprarenal v. or inferior vena cavadiaphragmleft inferior phrenic v. may be paired
plexus, rectal venousno named tributariessuperior, middle & inferior rectal vv.rectum and anal canal; anusrectal venous plexus is a site of portal-caval anastomosis
portal v.formed by the union of the superior mesenteric v. and the splenic v.; tributaries: posterior superior pancreaticoduodenal v., right gastric v., left gastric v.divides into right and left branches before entering the liver; into the liver sinusoidsall of the gut and its glandsportal v. connects with the vena caval drainage at 1) esophagus, 2) rectum, 3) umbilicus, 4) retroperitoneal gut structures; portal v. courses between two capillary beds (gut and liver)
posterior inferior pancreaticoduodenal v.numerous unnamed tributaries from the duodenum and pancreasinferior pancreaticoduodenal v.posterior part of the head of the pancreas; posterior aspect of the 1st and 2nd parts of the duodenum posterior inferior pancreaticoduodenal v. connects with the posterior superior pancreaticoduodenal v
posterior intercostal v.lateral cutaneous br.1st: brachiocephalic v.; 2nd-4th: superior intercostal v.; right 5th-11th: azygos v.; left 5th-7th or 8th: accessory hemiazygos v.; left 9th-11th: hemiazygos v. intercostal space including skin, muscles and adjacent ribs; the spinal cord at that segmental level and the corresponding vertebrathe difference in termination of the intercostal vv. of the left and right sides is explained by the embryonic origin of the azygos system from the (originally symmetrical) supracardinal vv.
posterior superior pancreaticoduodenal v.numerous unnamed tributaries from the duodenum and pancreasportal v.posterior part of the head of the pancreas; posterior aspect of the 1st and 2nd parts of the duodenumposterior superior pancreaticoduodenal v. connects with the posterior inferior pancreaticoduodenal v.
rectal venous plexusno named tributariessuperior, middle & inferior rectal vv.rectum and anal canal; anusrectal venous plexus is a site of portal-caval anastomosis
renal, leftleft ovarian/testicular v., left suprarenal v., sometime the left inferior phrenic v.inferior vena cavaleft ovary/testis; left ureter; left kidney; left suprarenal gland; left part of the respiratory diaphragmleft renal v. crosses the abdominal aorta under the origin of the superior mesenteric a., creating a site of potential compression of the left renal vein
renal, rightmultiple tributaries exit the kidneyinferior vena cavaright kidneyright renal v. is shorter than the left renal v.
right gastric v.gastric brs.portal v.lesser curvature of the stomachthe left gastric v. and right gastric v. are together called the coronary v. because they form a circle
right gastro-omental v.gastric brs., omental brs.superior mesenteric v.greater curvature of the stomach and the greater omentumalso known as: right gastroepiploic v.
right hepatic v.segmental vv.inferior vena cavasuperior portion of the anterior segment of the right lobe of the liver; entire posterior segment of the liverthe lumen of the right hepatic v. is clearly visible within the portion of the inferior vena cave that passes through the liver
right renal v.multiple tributaries exit the kidneyinferior vena cavaright kidneyright renal v. is shorter than the left renal v.
splenic v.proper splenic vv.portal v.spleenmultiple proper splenic vv. emerge from the hilum of the spleen and join to form the splenic v.
superior mesenteric v.ileocolic v., intestinal vv., right colic v., middle colic v., inferior
pancreaticoduodenal v., right gastro-epiploic v.
portal v.gut from the duodenum to the left colic flexure (midgut derivatives)superior mesenteric v. joins the splenic v. to form the portal v.
suprarenal v.no named tributariesleft: left renal v.; right: inferior vena cavasuprarenal glandleft suprarenal v. is usually joined by the left inferior phrenic v.; also known as: central v. of the suprarenal
testicular v.pampiniform plexusleft: left renal v.; right: inferior vena cavatestis, ureterleft testicular v. is longer than the right testicular v.
thoracoepigastric v.numerous vv. of the superficial fascialateral thoracic v.skin and superficial fascia of the anterolateral body wallthoracoepigastric v. connects the superficial circumflex iliac v. and the superficial epigastric v. - it can serve as collateral drainage when the inferior vena cava is blocked
vena cava, inferior formed by the union of the paired common iliac vv; tributaries: lumbar vv. 1-4, right ovarian/testicular v., renal vv., right suprarenal v., right inferior phrenic v., hepatic vv.right atriumall of the body below the level of the respiratory diaphragmthe inferior vena cava is longer than the abdominal aorta
vena cava, superiorformed by the union of the paired brachiocephalic vv.; tributary: azygos archright atriumall of the body above the level of the diaphragm except for those regions drained by the pulmonary vv. and coronary vv.superior vena cava is formed posterior to the first costal cartilage on the right side
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