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v cava inferior
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Svc_ivc_and_azygos_vsgif
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Superior Vena Cava , '''inferior vena cava''', Azygos Vein and their tributaries
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Vena+Cava,+Inferior
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A07231908949648
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The (or IVC) is a large
Vein that carries de-oxygenated
Blood from the lower half of the body into the
Heart . It is formed by the left and right
Common Iliac Vein s and transports blood to the
Right Atrium of the
Heart . It is a
Retroperitoneal structure, meaning it is posterior to the abdominal cavity, and runs along side of the
Vertebral Column on its right side.
The IVC
Anastomoses with the
Azygos Vein system (which runs on the left side of the vertebral column) and the venous
Plexus es next to the
Spinal Cord . It drains the
Lower Limb s,
Perineum and
Pelvic Structures , the retroperitoneal structures (e.g.
Kidney s) and the
Digestive Organs (via the
Hepatic Vein s).
The vein that carries de-oxygenated blood from the upper half of the body is the
Superior Vena Cava .
Health problems attributed to the IVC are typically associated with it being compressed; it very rarely ruptures because it has a low intraluminal
Pressure . Sources of (external) pressure are an enlarged
Aorta (
Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm ), a
Fetus (
Pregnancy ) and abdominal maligancies, such as
Colorectal Cancer ,
Renal Cell Carinoma and
Ovarian Cancer . Since the inferior vena cava is primarily a right-sided structure, unconconscious 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).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.
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 ).Geehan DM, Inferior Vena Caval Thrombosis, emedicine.com, URL: http://www.emedicine.com/med/topic2718.htm, Accessed: August 3, 2005.
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.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
Full Text .
