Azygos (impar), from the Greek , refers to an anatomical structure that is unpaired. This is relatively unusual, as most elements of anatomy reflect bilateral symmetry.

What is the purpose of the azygos vein?

It is responsible for draining the thoracic wall and upper lumbar region via the lumbar veins and posterior intercostal veins1. It also provides important collateral circulation between the superior and inferior venae cavae should they become obstructed 2.

What does azygos vein mean?

The azygos vein is a unilateral vessel that ascends in the thorax to the right of the vertebral column, carrying deoxygenated blood from the posterior chest and abdominal walls. It forms part of the azygos venous system.

Where is the azygos vein found?

The azygos vein originates at the junction of the right ascending lumbar and subcostal veins, entering the chest through the aortic hiatus. It ascends along the anterolateral surface of the thoracic vertebrae and arches ventrally to the right main bronchus at T5T6, draining into the SVC.

Where do the azygos veins drain?

The azygos vein is a vein running up the right side of the thoracic vertebral column draining itself towards the superior vena cava.

Is azygos vein in superior mediastinum?

The azygos venous system is located on either side of the vertebral column and drains the viscera within the mediastinum, as well as the back and thoracoabdominal walls. … Azygos vein.

Origin Vena azygos lumbalis/ inferior vena cava
Drains to Superior vena cava

Do horses have a left azygos vein?

A complete left cranial vena cava (LCVC) was found in a normal horse. … The azygous vein was normally distributed on the right side of the thoracic vertebral bodies but passed ventral to the aortic arch to empty into the cranial vena cava on the left close to the origin of the aortic arch.

What is a basilic vein?

The basilic vein is the dominant drainage for the dorsum of the hand and passes proximally in the medial bicipital groove.

How do you pronounce Azygous?

What is Hepatoportal system?

The hepatic portal system is the venous system that returns blood from the digestive tract and spleen to the liver (where raw nutrients in blood are processed before the blood returns to the heart).

What is unique about the azygos vein?

Azygos vein is the vein that drains the venous blood from the upper part of the posterior abdominal wall and the thoracic wall. It is very important for the reason that it connects the superior vena cava with the inferior vena cava, and it has very few to no valves.

What is left superior intercostal vein?

The left superior intercostal vein forms by the union of the 2nd to 4th left posterior intercostal veins. It courses superiorly to the left of the midline, arches posteriorly lateral to the aortic arch to drain into the left brachiocephalic vein. It typically communicates with the accessory hemiazygos vein.

What is the continuation of which vein is the azygos vein?

the inferior vena cava Azygos continuation of the inferior vena cava.

How many superior vena cava are there?

two A large vein that carries blood to the heart from other areas of the body. The vena cava has two parts: the superior vena cava and the inferior vena cava.

What is inferior vena cava?

The IVC is a large blood vessel responsible for transporting deoxygenated blood from the lower extremities and abdomen back to the right atrium of the heart. It has the largest diameter of the venous system and is a thin-walled vessel.

Does azygos vein have valves?

The azygos vein contains a valve halfway along the azygos arch (between the vertical azygos vein and the point where the azygos vein enters the SVC). This valve is a common place for the intravenously injected contrast agent to accumulate, which may simulate pathology on CT 3.

Does the azygos vein carry deoxygenated blood?

It carries deoxygenated blood forming a collateral pathway between the superior vena cava (SVC) and the inferior vena cava (IVC). … There are also instances were the azygos vein can end lower draining into the intra-pericardial SVC or even the right atrium.

How is superior vena cava syndrome diagnosed?

A plain chest x-ray may show abnormal enlargement of the mediastinum or may reveal a tumor in the lung. Ultrasound may be used to look for blood clots in the arm leading into the chest. Computerized tomography (CT) scanning of the chest is most often used to diagnose superior vena cava syndrome.

What separates superior and inferior mediastinum?

The transverse thoracic plane, thoracic plane, plane of Louis or plane of Ludwig is an important anatomical plane at the level of the sternal angle and the T4/T5 intervertebral disc. It serves as an imaginary boundary that separates the superior and inferior mediastinum.

How mediastinum is divided?

The four-compartment model divides the mediastinum into the superior, anterior, middle, and posterior portions. The mediastinum houses many vital structures including the heart, great vessels, trachea, and essential nerves.

What is Paramediastinal?

Mediastinal tumors are growths that form in the area of the chest that separates the lungs. This area, called the mediastinum, is surrounded by the breastbone in front, the spine in back, and the lungs on each side. The mediastinum contains the heart, aorta, esophagus, thymus, trachea, lymph nodes and nerves.

What species have a left azygos vein?

The left azygous vein is present in the swine heart, returning blood from the body directly to the right atrium (1, 8).

Where is the pulmonary trunk?

Location. The pulmonary trunk, which is relatively short and wide, is located at the exit of the right ventricle. This main arterial branch is located above the heart to the left of the ascending aorta.

Where is the intercostal vein?

The intercostal veins are a group of veins which drain the area between the ribs (costae), called the intercostal space. Posterior intercost veins that drain into the Superior intercostal vein – 2nd, 3rd, and 4th intercostal spaces. The superior intercostal vein then drains into the Azygous vein.

What is a radial vein?

The radial vein is one of the two major deep veins of the forearm, along with the ulnar vein. As is usual in the upper and lower limbs, there are often two veins (venae comitantes) that run on either side of the radial artery and anastomose freely with each other. It forms in the hand from the deep palmar venous arch.

What is the longest vein in the body?

Great Saphenous Vein Great Saphenous Vein (GSV) The GSV is the large superficial vein of the leg and the longest vein in the entire body. It can be found along the length of the lower limb, returning blood from the thigh, calf, and foot to the deep femoral vein at the femoral triangle. The femoral triangle is located in the upper thigh.

What is the GSV?

The great saphenous vein (GSV, alternately long saphenous vein; /sfins/) is a large, subcutaneous, superficial vein of the leg. It is the longest vein in the body, running along the length of the lower limb, returning blood from the foot, leg and thigh to the deep femoral vein at the femoral triangle.

What does Azygos fissure mean?

azygos fissure is a developmental abnormality caused by the right posterior cardinal vein (one of the precursors of the azygos vein) failing to migrate over the right lung apex, and instead penetrating and grooving it.

What is azygos lobe of lung?

The azygos lobe, also commonly referred to as an accessory lobe of the azygos vein, is located at the apicomedial portion of the right lung and is separated from the remainder of the upper lobe by a fissure. It usually has no significant clinical implications and is an incidental finding in radiographic studies.

How do you pronounce Hemiazygos?