Thorax - transverse section

You selected: azygous vein

The azygous vein runs within the thorax, to the right of the vertebral column. It empties into the superior vena cava which leads to the right atrium of the heart. The hemiazygous vein runs along the left side, and ultimately drains into the azygous vein. This system of drainage beomes very important should the inferior vena cava (draining blood from the lower extremities), or the hepatic portal vein (draining blood from the GI tract) become blocked. In such a case the azygous system provides a collateral route for blood to drain into the heart via the superior vena cava.

Key points in this image
lungs | ribs | right atrium | left atrium | right ventricle | left ventricle | serratus anterior | latissimus dorsi | erector spinae | pectoralis major |
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Information
Module Name: thorax
Module Title: Thorax - transverse section
Image Info: Gross specimen.
Created by: Lynn Bry
Contact Email:bryl@medicine.wustl.edu
Last modified: Dec 12th, 1996
Created with Annotation 1.0