A rare case of the left sided inferior vena cava
Kitamura, S.; Sakai, A.; Saito, Y.; Sakata, M.; Sato, H.; Sakai, N.; Ito, H.
Kaibogaku Zasshi. Journal of Anatomy 55(5): 509-514
1980
ISSN/ISBN: 0022-7722 PMID: 7293724 Document Number: 161268
An anomalous inferior vena cava was observed in the cadaver of a 78 yr old Japanese male. There was a complete transposition of the postrenal division of the inferior vena cava, unassociated with other visceral transposition. Such an anomaly is designated left sided inferior vena cava. The left sided inferior vena cava, which is formed by confluence of the common iliac veins behind the left common iliac artery at the upper level of the 5th lumbar vertebra, ascends vertically along the left side of the vertebral column and the abdominal aorta. Its course is described anatomically. Neither a small vein nor fibrous remnant was designated as the rudimentary right inferior vena cava. This anomaly of the inferior vena cava evidently is formed by the persistence of the left supracardinal vein and the disappearance of the right one. In Japanese literature 7 cases of left sided inferior vena cava were reported; this report comprises the 8th case.