Parietal vessels
Parietal or parietal veins (vv. parietales) provide venous drainage from the abdominal wall. This group includes:
- Lumbar veins (vv. lumbales) — represented by four pairs of vessels located symmetrically on both sides.
- Inferior phrenic vein (v. phrenica inferior) — a paired vessel that runs toward the inferior vena cava and empties into it above the hepatic region.
Visceral veins
Visceral vessels collect blood from internal organs. Their topography exhibits distinct patterns of asymmetry:
- Renal veins (vv. renales) approach the inferior vena cava at almost a right angle. Their level of entry corresponds to the intervertebral disc between the first and second lumbar vertebrae, with the left vessel lying slightly higher than the right.
- Hepatic veins (vv. hepaticae) leave the liver parenchyma along its posterior border and immediately empty into the inferior vena cava.
- Suprarenal veins (vv. suprarenales) are paired structures. The right drains directly into the inferior vena cava, while the left empties into the left renal vein.
Features of gonadal veins
The anatomical outflow pathway from paired gonads (v. testicularis in males and v. ovarica in females) demonstrates marked right-left asymmetry:
- Right gonadal vein ascends and drains directly into the inferior vena cava.
- Left gonadal vein has an anatomical variation and drains not into the vena cava, but into the left renal vein as a tributary.
Briefly: answers to topical questions
What are the topographic and anatomical features of the left renal vein compared to the right?
The left renal vein (v. renalis sinistra) differs from the right by its greater length, higher level of entry, and syntopy.
| Characteristic | Left renal vein | Right renal vein |
|---|---|---|
| Length | Longer than the right | Short |
| Level of entry | Empties somewhat higher than the right | Empties lower than the left |
| Topography | Crosses anterior to the aorta | - |
Additionally, the left suprarenal vein (v. suprarenalis) and the left testicular or ovarian vein (v. testicularis/ovarica sinistra) drain into the left renal vein.
What anatomical structures are part of the abdominal visceral venous system?
Visceral veins that drain into the inferior vena cava include:
- Testicular (ovarian) vein (v. testicularis / ovarica) — paired; the right drains directly into the inferior vena cava, the left into the renal vein.
- Renal veins (vv. renales) — drain into the inferior vena cava at almost a right angle at the level of the intervertebral disc between L1 and L2.
- Suprarenal veins (vv. suprarenales) — paired; the left drains into the left renal vein, the right directly into the inferior vena cava.
- Hepatic veins (vv. hepaticae) — drain into the inferior vena cava upon exiting the liver parenchyma.
The left side more often acts as an intermediary: the left testicular and left suprarenal veins drain into the left renal vein rather than directly into the inferior vena cava.
Class and exam questions
Where does the right testicular vein drain, unlike the left?
The right testicular vein empties directly into the inferior vena cava, whereas the left vein runs into the left renal vein.
At what level do the renal veins drain?
The renal veins drain at the level of the intervertebral disc between L1 and L2, with the left located slightly higher than the right.
How many pairs of lumbar veins are there in the body?
Lumbar veins (vv. lumbales) are present as four veins on each side.
What else to study on this topic
- Topography of the inferior vena cava throughout its length
- Syntopy of the left renal vein and its relation to the aorta
- Collateral blood flow in renal vein thrombosis
- Anatomical structure of the hepatic veins and liver segments
- Variations of lumbar vein drainage in the retroperitoneal space
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