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Each side of the diaphragm drains into a phrenic vein ; the right phrenic vein empties directly into the inferior vena cava, whereas the left phrenic vein empties into the left renal vein. Blood supply from the liver drains into each hepatic vein and directly into the inferior vena cava. Since the inferior vena cava lies primarily to the right of the vertebral column and aorta, the left renal vein is longer, as are the left phrenic, adrenal, and gonadal veins. The longer length of the left renal vein makes the left kidney the primary target of surgeons removing this organ for donation. [link] provides a flow chart of the veins flowing into the inferior vena cava. [link] summarizes the major veins of the abdominal region.
| Major Veins of the Abdominal Region | |
|---|---|
| Vessel | Description |
| Inferior vena cava | Large systemic vein that drains blood from areas largely inferior to the diaphragm; empties into the right atrium |
| Lumbar veins | Series of veins that drain the lumbar portion of the abdominal wall and spinal cord; the ascending lumbar veins drain into the azygos vein on the right or the hemiazygos vein on the left; the remaining lumbar veins drain directly into the inferior vena cava |
| Renal vein | Largest vein entering the inferior vena cava; drains the kidneys and flows into the inferior vena cava |
| Adrenal vein | Drains the adrenal or suprarenal; the right adrenal vein enters the inferior vena cava directly and the left adrenal vein enters the left renal vein |
| Testicular vein | Drains the testes and forms part of the spermatic cord; the right testicular vein empties directly into the inferior vena cava and the left testicular vein empties into the left renal vein |
| Ovarian vein | Drains the ovary; the right ovarian vein empties directly into the inferior vena cava and the left ovarian vein empties into the left renal vein |
| Gonadal vein | Generic term for a vein draining a reproductive organ; may be either an ovarian vein or a testicular vein, depending on the sex of the individual |
| Phrenic vein | Drains the diaphragm; the right phrenic vein flows into the inferior vena cava and the left phrenic vein empties into the left renal vein |
| Hepatic vein | Drains systemic blood from the liver and flows into the inferior vena cava |
The superior surface of the foot drains into the digital veins, and the inferior surface drains into the plantar veins , which flow into a complex series of anastomoses in the feet and ankles, including the dorsal venous arch and the plantar venous arch ( [link] ). From the dorsal venous arch, blood supply drains into the anterior and posterior tibial veins. The anterior tibial vein drains the area near the tibialis anterior muscle and combines with the posterior tibial vein and the fibular vein to form the popliteal vein. The posterior tibial vein drains the posterior surface of the tibia and joins the popliteal vein. The fibular vein drains the muscles and integument in proximity to the fibula and also joins the popliteal vein. The small saphenous vein located on the lateral surface of the leg drains blood from the superficial regions of the lower leg and foot, and flows into to the popliteal vein . As the popliteal vein passes behind the knee in the popliteal region, it becomes the femoral vein. It is palpable in patients without excessive adipose tissue.
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