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inferior vena cava (IVC)

Venous drainage: - the great vein of the abdomen & inferior thorax, returning blood from the lower extremities & the greater part of the pelvis & abdomen to the right atrium - it begins at the level of the 5th lumbar vertebra on the right side by merging of the right & left common iliac veins - it penetrates the diaphragm at the level of the 8th thoracic vertebra & empties into the posterior inferior aspect of the right atrium [1] Physiology: - the inspiratory collapse of the inferior vena cava has been used to signify normal central venous pressure - the increase in intra-abdominal pressure during decent of the diaphram may have a compressive effect on the inferior vena cava Clinical significance: - an exagerated collapse of the inferior vena cava during inspiration visualized during echocardiography suggests a volume-responsive cardiac output [3]

Related

right atrium (RA)

Specific

non-collapsing inferior vena cava

General

vena cava

References

  1. Stedman's Medical Dictionary 27th ed, Williams & Wilkins, Baltimore, 1999
  2. Kimura BJ et al The effect of breathing manner on inferior vena caval diameter Eur J Echocardiogr. 2011 Feb;12(2):120-3. PMID: 20980326
  3. Resus.me Resiscitation Medicine Education. March 13, 2011 https://resus.me/ivc-collapse-depends-on-breathing-pattern/

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