Double inferior vena cava with right retrocaval ureter. A case report
Arikuni, T.; Nakatani, T.; Ichimura, T.; Kuwabara, K.; Sakai, N.
Kaibogaku Zasshi. Journal of Anatomy 59(6): 701-706
1984
ISSN/ISBN: 0022-7722 PMID: 6535361 Document Number: 238847
A typical inferior vena cava was observed during routine dissection of a female Japanese cadaver, 85 yr old, at the Osaka University Medical School [Japan]. The anomaly was found in the infrarenal portion of the inferior vena cava. The right and larger inferior vena cava is formed by the confluence of the right external and internal iliac veins at the level of the 4th lumbar vertebra. It crosses the common iliac artery ventrally and ascends along the right side of the abdominal aorta to unite with the left inferior vena cava at the level of the 2nd lumbar vertebra to form the suprarenal protion of the inferior vena cava. The right ureter passes downward behind the right inferior vena cava and emerges between that vein and the aorta. The left and smaller inferior vena cava is formed by the confluence of the left external and internal iliac veins at the level of the 4th lumbar vertebra. It ascends vertically along the left side of the vertebral column. It crosses the abdomianl aorta ventrally at the level of the 2nd lumbar vertebra and joins the right inferior vena cava at the right side of the 2nd lumbar vertebra. The left urter passes in front of the left iliac vessels. There is an anastomotic vein between the right and left internal iliac veins. Consequently, variation of the inferior vena cava in this case is identified as the type AC of McClure et Butler (1928). This is the 5th case of the double inferior vena cava with the right retrocaval ureter in Japan.