| Azygos vein | |
|---|---|
 Superior vena cava, inferior vena cava, azygos vein and their tributaries. (Vena azygos labeled at center.) | |
 Posterior view: The position and relation of the esophagus in the cervical region and in the posterior mediastinum. Seen from behind. (Azygos vein labeled at bottom left.) | |
| Details | |
| Precursor | Right supracardinal vein[1] |
| Drains from | Superior intercostal vein |
| Drains to | Superior vena cava |
| Identifiers | |
| Latin | vena azygos |
| MeSH | D001401 |
| TA98 | A12.3.07.001 |
| TA2 | 4747 |
| FMA | 4838 |
| Anatomical terminology | |
The azygos vein (from Ancient Greek ἄζυγος (ázugos), meaning 'unwedded' or 'unpaired') is a vein running up the right side of the thoracic vertebral column draining itself towards the superior vena cava. It connects the systems of superior vena cava and inferior vena cava and can provide an alternative path for blood to the right atrium when either of the venae cavae is blocked.[2][3]
- ^ Edward Lamperti; Michael Schuenke; Erik Schulte; Udo Schumacher; Ross, Lawrence J. (2006). General Anatomy and Musculoskeletal System (Thieme Atlas of Anatomy). Thieme Publishing Group. p. 13. ISBN 3-13-142081-2.
- ^ Shin, Myung Soo; Ho, Kang Jey (1 July 1999). "Clinical significance of azygos vein enlargement: Radiographic recognition and etiologic analysis". Clinical Imaging. 23 (4): 236–240. doi:10.1016/S0899-7071(99)00141-2. PMID 10631900.
- ^ Piciucchi S, Barone D, Sanna S, Dubini A, Goodman LR, Oboldi D, Bertocco M, Ciccotosto C, Gavelli G, Carloni A, Poletti V (October 2014). "The azygos vein pathway: an overview from anatomical variations to pathological changes". Insights Imaging. 5 (5): 619–28. doi:10.1007/s13244-014-0351-3. PMC 4195836. PMID 25171956.