颈胸段脊柱手术前方入路的应用解剖

目的:通过对颈胸段脊柱周围重要解剖结构的分布、走行及毗邻关系的研究,为颈胸段脊柱选择合理的手术入路提供解剖学基础。方法:对30具成人尸体模拟经胸骨柄和部分锁骨切除的颈胸段脊柱前方入路进行解剖,采用连续层次解剖法,重点观察前方手术入路途径中必须牵拉和需要保护的几个重要组织,并测量相关数据。结果:左头臂静脉的长度为(67.3±9.7)mm,左静脉角与前正中线的水平距离为(45.0±8.3)mm,头臂静脉与头臂干交点距胸骨上切迹的垂直距离为(52.7±20.1)mm;胸膜顶最高点距锁骨内1/3上缘的垂直距离,左侧(8.1±2.0)mm右侧(13.7±2.8)mm胸导管顶点80%位于第7颈椎(C_7)水平,胸导管顶点距前正中线的距离为(33.78±2.16)mm;左喉返神经进入气管食管沟的位置93.4%位于第3、4胸椎~第4、5胸椎(T_(3/4)~T_(4/5))之间,右喉返神经进入气管食管沟的位置30%位于C_(6/7)水平,60%位于C_7水平,右喉返神经与颈总动脉内侧缘交叉点90%位于T_1水平;主动脉弓顶点90%位于T_(2/3)~T_(3/4)椎体水平。结论:颈胸段脊柱前路手术采取左侧入路,术野暴露更充分,操作更方便,同时术中通过对左头臂静脉的牵拉和结扎胸导管可减少医源性并发症的发生。     

Topographic anatomy of the fetal inferior vena cava,coronary sinus,and pulmonary veins: Variations in Chiari's network

To understand anomalies in Chiari's network better, we assessed the topographical anatomy of the fetal inferior vena cava (IVC), coronary sinus, and atria. We examined sagittal serial paraffin sections of 15 human fetuses of crown–rump length 24–36 mm, corresponding to a gestational age of 8 weeks. Although their outflow tract morphologies were similar, these 15 specimens could be classified into two groups. In eight specimens, the left common cardinal vein reached the body wall, whereas in the other seven the vein was obliterated near the left pulmonary vein. Irrespective of the group in which the specimen was included, the anteroposterior arrangement of the coronary sinus, the sinus septum (septum), and the right sinus valve (right valve) could be classified into three types: the right valve–septum–coronary sinus arrangement in seven specimens; the right valve–coronary sinus–septum arrangement in five; and the coronary sinus–right valve–septum arrangement in three. Depending on differences in topographical anatomy, the sinus septum separated the coronary sinus opening from either the right or the left atrium. Likewise, the coronary sinus opening was either adjacent to or distant from the IVC terminal. Rather than the counter‐side position of the right valve being at the IVC terminal, the left sinus valve protruded leftward, forming an incomplete interatrial septum. Fetal variations seemed to be closely connected with individual variations and a high frequency of Chiari's network anomalies in adults. Clin. Anat. 28:627–637, 2015. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.     

国人颞中静脉的解剖学研究及意义

目的　研究国人颞中静脉的解剖学特征和标志，为临床应用提供解剖学依据。 方法　26侧（左12侧，右14侧，男性18，女性3）经10%福尔马林灌注固定的人头标本，解剖颞区颞中静脉及属支，观察其走行分布，测量主干到各解剖标志距离及管径，计数属支数目并测量管径。比较左、右侧差异。 结果　所有标本存在颞中静脉，主干管径平均2.91 mm（0.72~5.88 mm），属支0~7支，属支管径平均2.05 mm（0.54~5.30 mm），可有2级属支（3.8%，1例）。主干汇入颞浅静脉的位置不完全一致，汇点高者在颧弓根部（42.3%，11例），低者位于颧弓下缘9.02~21.00 mm处。主干大致有3种分布类型：①经典型53.8%（14例），②分裂聚合型30.8%（8例），③直角型15.4%（4例）。转折处到耳屏内侧缘的垂直距离平均18.69 mm，主干到颧弓中点、眶外缘与颧弓交界处、眼外眦、眉弓外端距离的平均值，左侧分别为：（17.23±7.29）、（18.82±9.00）、（21.14±6.96）、（9.62±8.87）mm，右侧分别为：（17.28±5.74）、（18.34±7.63）、（19.40±6.98）mm、（8.17±5.53）mm；相对应的管径平均值分别为左：（3.75±1.63）、（3.34±1.00）、（3.08±1.18）、（2.81±1.23）mm；右：（4.29±2.93）、（2.90±1.29）、（2.89±1.20）、（2.57±1.21）mm。左、右侧无统计学差异。 结论　对国人颞中静脉的走行分布进行解剖学类型划分，以丰富解剖学资料；掌握颞中静脉的解剖学特征和标志，于颞区手术具有指导意义。     

Morphogenesis of the node and notochord: The cellular basis for the establishment and maintenance of left–right asymmetry in the mouse

Establishment of left–right asymmetry in the mouse embryo depends on leftward laminar fluid flow in the node, which initiates a signaling cascade that is confined to the left side of the embryo. Leftward fluid flow depends on two cellular processes: motility of the cilia that generate the flow and morphogenesis of the node, the structure where the cilia reside. Here, we provide an overview of the current understanding and unresolved questions about the regulation of ciliary motility and node structure. Analysis of mouse mutants has shown that the motile cilia must have a specific structure and length, and that they must point posteriorly to generate the necessary leftward fluid flow. However, the precise structure of the motile cilia is not clear and the mechanisms that position cilia on node cells have not been defined. The mouse node is a teardrop‐shaped pit at the distal tip of the early embryo, but the morphogenetic events that create the mature node from cells derived from the primitive streak are only beginning to be characterized. Recent live imaging experiments support earlier scanning electron microscopy (SEM) studies and show that node assembly is a multi‐step process in which clusters of node precursors appear on the embryo surface as overlying endoderm cells are removed. We present additional SEM and confocal microscopy studies that help define the transition stages during node morphogenesis. After the initiation of left‐sided signaling, the notochordal plate, which is contiguous with the node, generates a barrier at the embryonic midline that restricts the cascade of gene expression to the left side of the embryo. The field is now poised to dissect the genetic and cellular mechanisms that create and organize the specialized cells of the node and midline that are essential for left–right asymmetry. Developmental Dynamics 237:3464–3476, 2008. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.     

Bilateral thoracic ducts with coexistent persistent left superior vena cava

A case of bilateral thoracic ducts with coexistent persistent left superior vena cava (SVC) was identified in a 77-year-old Japanese female cadaver during dissection in a gross anatomy course. The persistent left SVC began at the lower surface of the left brachiocephalic vein, descended in front of the aortic arch, and drained into the right atrium through the coronary sinus. The right SVC was normal both in size and in position. The azygos vein, receiving the hemiazygos vein, opened into the right SVC. The accessory hemiazygos vein and the left superior intercostal vein united to form a common trunk, which drained into the left SVC. The left and right thoracic ducts began at the level of the 1st lumbar vertebra, ran upwards parallel and anterior to the vertebral column, and terminated at the venous angles of their corresponding sides. There was an anastomotic branch between them. The present case was considered to be very rare, since the persistent left SVC and bilateral thoracic ducts coexisted. The embryologic basis and clinical importance of this case are discussed.     

The fate of the vitelline and umbilical veins during the development of the human liver

Differentiation of endodermal cells into hepatoblasts is well studied, but the remodeling of the vitelline and umbilical veins during liver development is less well understood. We compared human embryos between 3 and 10 weeks of development with pig and mouse embryos at comparable stages, and used Amira 3D reconstruction and Cinema 4D remodeling software for visualization. The vitelline and umbilical veins enter the systemic venous sinus on each side via a common entrance, the hepatocardiac channel. During expansion into the transverse septum at Carnegie Stage (CS)12 the liver bud develops as two dorsolateral lobes or ‘wings’ and a single ventromedial lobe, with the liver hilum at the intersection of these lobes. The dorsolateral lobes each engulf a vitelline vein during CS13 and the ventromedial lobe both umbilical veins during CS14, but both venous systems remain temporarily identifiable inside the liver. The dominance of the left‐sided umbilical vein and the rightward repositioning of the sinuatrial junction cause de novo development of left‐to‐right shunts between the left umbilical vein in the liver hilum and the right hepatocardiac channel (venous duct) and the right vitelline vein (portal sinus), respectively. Once these shunts have formed, portal branches develop from the intrahepatic portions of the portal vein on the right side and the umbilical vein on the left side. The gall bladder is a reliable marker for this hepatic vascular midline. We found no evidence for large‐scale fragmentation of embryonic veins as claimed by the ‘vestigial’ theory. Instead and in agreement with the ‘lineage’ theory, the vitelline and umbilical veins remained temporally identifiable inside the liver after being engulfed by hepatoblasts. In agreement with the ‘hemodynamic’ theory, the left–right shunts develop de novo.     

The variability in location of the most prominent points on the posterior torso of those without abnormal surface topography,those with Adolescent Idiopathic Scoliosis and those with Scheuermann's Kyphosis: a seven year longitudinal analysis

The correction of adolescent scoliosis involves the recreation of torso symmetry. A symmetrical torso has equivalent areas of shape on either side of the midline. The posterior torso has two areas of prominence, known as the ‘most prominent points’ on either side of the midline which can be used as reference points to measure symmetry of the posterior torso. This study used the three-dimensional (3D) coordinates of the most prominent points, measured using ISIS2 surface topography and standardised by torso size, in children without abnormal surface topography, with adolescent idiopathic scoliosis (AIS) (right thoracic curves) and with Scheuermann's kyphosis (SK). The purpose was to demonstrate the variability of the position of the points in these three groups. The variability of the 3D coordinates was calculated for each group (mean, standard deviation and range in millimetres) and the standardised data were illustrated using 3D 95% confidence interval ellipsoids. In those without deformity, the position of the left and right point was mirrored with little difference. The AIS group showed a difference between the left and right points, with the right becoming further from the midline and more prominent than the left but with the left becoming more superior than the right. For the SK cohort, both left and right points moved inwards towards the midline and became more prominent. Linear mixed effect modelling was used to examine the contribution of age, kyphosis and scoliosis to the position of the most prominent points. In the cohort without abnormal surface topography, the x parameter increases with the covariates of age and kyphosis, with the covariate of age likely reflecting torso growth. The left side becomes more prominent and inferior compared to the right. In the AIS cohort, age follows the cohort without abnormal surface topography. This is added to by the scoliosis which is observed to make the right side more lateral, less inferior and more prominent, whereas the left becomes more medial, less inferior and less prominent. Kyphosis in the AIS cohort leads to the right point becoming more lateral, less inferior and less prominent whereas in the left becomes more lateral, more inferior and more prominent. In the SK cohort, the effects of the covariates of age and kyphosis are not clear reflecting the small number of cases with more than one surface topography image over time.     

How should we treat short hepatic veins and paracaval branches in anterior hepatectomy using the hanging maneuver without mobilization of the liver?

This study investigates the relevant anatomy for applying the hanging maneuver to hepatectomy by an anterior approach, where liver mobilization is not possible. Using 176 cadaveric livers, we morphometrically investigated the distribution of venous openings within the retrohepatic portion of the inferior vena cava (IVC); next, we conducted a series of experiments to identify which course for insertion of a pair of forceps preserved the thickest of these veins. After anterior dissection of the liver, we carried out an anterior incision along a plane within an area free of venous openings in the IVC. The area free of venous openings was between the thickest caudate vein and the inferior right hepatic vein (IRHV), and averaged 16.2 mm in width. When forceps were inserted along the rightward course connecting the right inferior angle of the right lobe and the same pocket-like space between the terminals of the middle and right hepatic veins, the caudate vein was very likely to be preserved, whereas the IRHV was not. In contrast, the leftward course connecting the gallbladder fossa and the pocket-like space provided an almost opposite incidence of damage. The portal territory of the hilar bifurcation was most likely to be damaged during a virtual incision along an avascular plane; however, the caudate branch of left portal origin was rarely damaged. The rightward course may be the best method for forceps insertion in cases where there is no IRHV. To preserve the caudate vein and the IRHV, taping on the right side of the IRHV and retracting to the right, or changing the direction of the forceps from leftward to rightward when the tip of the forceps is anterior to the IVC is recommended. The hanging maneuver by an anterior approach without mobilization is convenient for right or left hepatectomy for large tumors or hardened liver.     

奇静脉的应用解剖学观察

解剖观察了27具成人尸体的奇静脉。奇静脉起始于脊柱的右侧或前方，在上行过程中向左侧偏移率达81．48％，其中部分跨过脊往中线者占59．26％．与一般教科书中描述的沿脊柱右侧上升不一致，这种走行在胸部断层图象检查中奇静脉的定位时应加以注意。     

脊柱T_(5～11)节段极外侧微创手术入路的应用解剖

目的为T5～11脊柱极外侧椎间融合术(XLIF)的微创手术入路的可行性和安全性提供解剖学依据。方法成人尸体标本12具,解剖观察并测量T5～11椎体侧方血管神经的走行、分布及毗邻结构,节段血管的位置及其与上下相邻椎间盘的距离。结果 T5～11节段血管走行较为恒定,节段静脉在上、节段动脉在下,走行于对应椎体的中央偏下水平。两侧交感神经干在T6～9发出内脏大神经,T10～12发出内脏小神经。奇静脉在该段脊柱的右前方,向上走行过程中逐渐向脊柱左侧偏,胸主动脉走行于该段脊柱的左前方,向下走行过程逐渐向右侧偏,右侧交感干与奇静脉的间距远大于左侧交感干与胸主动脉的间距。椎间盘水平无血管和神经紧邻。结论在T5～11脊柱行极外侧椎间融合术是可行和安全的,行椎体螺钉内固定应注意侧前方血管神经和节段血管的保护,切除椎体时必须先结扎节段血管。     

A case of double inferior vena cava with renal,ovarian and iliac vein variation

We encountered a rare case of an anatomic variant of inferior vena cava (IVC) duplication with renal, ovarian and iliac vein variation in an 81-year-old Japanese female cadaver during a student dissection course of anatomy at Aichi Gakuin University School of Dentistry. The two IVCs ran upwards bilaterally to the abdominal aorta. The left IVC joined with the left renal vein (RV) to form a common trunk that crossed anterior to the aorta and ended at the right IVC. We detected a vein [interiliac vein (IiV)] connecting the two IVCs at the level of the aortic bifurcation. The IiV was formed by the union of two tributaries from the left IVC and a tributary from the left internal iliac vein (IIV) and ran obliquely upwards from left to right. Two right ovarian veins, arising separately from the ipsilateral pampiniform plexus, ran vertically in parallel to each other, and each one independently terminated at the right IVC and the right RV. Two right IIVs, connecting each other with small branches, ascended and separately joined the right external iliac vein. The right and left IIVs were connected to each other. These variations cause abnormal drainage, which could lead to clinical symptoms associated with the dysfunction of the vascular and urogenital systems. Here we describe the detailed anatomical features of the area and discuss the related anatomical and developmental aspects.     

胸腔镜下胸导管结扎术的应用解剖

目的　为胸腔镜下结扎胸导管提供形态学依据。  方法　观察10例成人尸体标本的乳糜池、肠干、左右腰干及胸导管在胸腔内的走行及毗邻关系,在T4~12各肋骨平面测量胸导管距奇静脉、半奇静脉和副半奇静脉主干的距离。  结果　①胸导管多起始于T12~L2椎体右前方,但其中1例起于T10。胸导管起点处距右膈脚起始端距离（74.63±38.30）mm。胸导管、各属支间及与奇静脉、半奇静脉等存在广泛交通;②胸导管到奇静脉最小距离（0.94±0.62）mm和到半奇静脉和副半奇静脉主干最大距离（34.92±0.98）mm均在T8水平,向上向下肋水平延伸距离分别逐渐增大、减小。  结论    胸导管在T5~10间多为单干,走行规律,电视胸腔镜胸导管结扎术经右胸入路,在脊柱前奇静脉下方,降主动脉上方仔细分离出胸导管,经左胸入路,则需在降主动脉下方、脊柱前、奇静脉上方分离出胸导管。     

Venous velocity of the right femoral vein decreases in the right lateral decubitus position compared to the supine position: a cause of postoperative pulmonary embolism?

The right lateral decubitus position is a risk factor for postoperative pulmonary embolism. We examined postural changes of femoral vein velocity in order to elucidate the mechanism. Thirty patients scheduled for general thoracic surgery were enrolled in this study. The common femoral veins on both sides were examined by color-duplex ultrasound for venous caliber and velocity when the patients were in the right lateral, left lateral, and supine positions. The maximum diameters of the right femoral vein in the right lateral decubitus position and the left femoral vein in the left decubitus position were significantly larger than those in the other positions. The venous velocity of the right femoral vein in the right lateral decubitus position was significantly smaller than that in the supine position, while the velocity of the left femoral vein in the left lateral decubitus position was not significantly decreased. We speculate that the decreased venous velocity of the right femoral vein in the right lateral decubitus position could result in a deep venous thromboembolism in the right leg, making this position a possible risk factor for postoperative pulmonary embolism.     

Multiple variations of the renal and testicular vessels: possible embryological basis and clinical importance

During routine dissection of the abdominal cavity of a 55-year-old African male cadaver, multiple anomalies including renal and testicular vessels were encountered. The right kidney was supplied by three right hilar renal arteries arising from the abdominal aorta at different vertebral levels whereas only one left renal artery supplied the left kidney. On the right three renal veins drained the kidney into the inferior vena cava. In contrast, the left kidney was drained by a single renal vein which received a large primary posterior tributary. The primary posterior tributary had three tributaries from the posterior lumbar region. The right testis had two sources of arterial supply; one from the subcostal artery and another from the abdominal aorta. The left testis was supplied normally by a single testicular artery. The right testis was drained by four testicular veins as follows: one drained into the subcostal vein, the other two drained separately for a longer course and joined shortly before draining into the right main renal vein, the fourth one drained into the anterior aspect of the inferior vena cava at the level of the second lumbar vertebra. On the left, the testicle was drained by two testicular veins which travelled separately from the deep inguinal ring and joined shortly before they drain into the left renal vein. This variation may represent an immature form of complicated development of kidneys and testes. Additionally, emphasis must be put on preoperative vascular examination to avoid surgical complications from variant vessels in this region.     

Preureteric inferior vena cava with possible rudiment of the proper inferior vena cava

A right single preureteric inferior vena cava (IVC) was found in the cadaver of a 77-year-old Japanese male during a student dissection course at Kumamoto University School of Medicine in 2003. The ureter emerged from the lower end of the hilum of the right kidney at the second lumbar vertebral level. It ran inferomedially to pass behind the IVC, and turned inferolaterally to cross the vein superficially at the level of the third to the fourth lumbar vertebrae. Then, the ureter was situated to the right of the IVC, and descended ordinarily. The second lumbar vein of each side united bilaterally, as did the third lumbar veins. The common stem of the second lumbar veins drained into the left side of the IVC posterolaterally at the level of the second intervertebral disc, and the third common stem opened into the left border of the IVC at the fourth lumbar vertebral level. The ureter hooked around the IVC between the openings of those common stems. There was a small continuation (0.2 mm in diameter) between the left second lumbar and the right third lumbar veins along the vertebral column slightly right of the midline. It passed superficial to the right third lumbar artery, as did the IVC. The right testicular vein opened into the IVC at the level of the lower end of the third lumbar vertebral body. Generally, the level of the opening of the gonadal vein corresponds to the level of the caudal end of the remaining subcardinal vein, but it is lower than usual in this case. Furthermore, the segment from the confluence of the common iliac veins to the common trunk of the third lumbar veins, and to the small continuation can be regarded as the proper IVC, and the part where the ureter hooks around it may have derived from the anastomosis between the common trunk of the third lumbar veins and the subcardinal vein.     

The lateral thoracic artery passing through duplicated axillary vein: A case report

The axillary vein is a large‐blood vessel that lies on the medial side to the axillary artery. The veins of the axilla are more abundant than the arteries and their variations were extremely common. During educational dissection, a rare form of the axillary vein accompanying arterial variation was founded in left arm of 70‐year‐old female cadaver. The axillary vein was divided into two large veins, anterior and posterior axillary veins according to their anatomical position. The lateral‐thoracic artery arose from the second part of the axillary artery and passed through the gap of duplicated axillary vein. Before the lateral‐thoracic artery passed through the gap of duplicated axillary vein, the lateral‐thoracic artery gave‐off an additional branch, which descended superficial to the anterior axillary vein. It surrounded the anterior axillary vein as annular form and the diameter of surrounded part of the anterior axillary vein became narrow. This novel case was reported and its clinical implications of such a variant were discussed. Clin. Anat. 26:1014–1016, 2013. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.     

经腋中线胸腔入路上胸椎侧方内固定与传统前方钢板内固定：生物力学稳定性的对照分析

文题释义： 上胸椎手术入路：上胸椎周围解剖结构复杂,常见的手术入路有经下颈椎低位前方入路、经胸骨柄入路、经胸入路等,虽然前路手术入路众多,但手术风险及难度系数极大,在临床上选择一种创伤较小的手术方式具有一定优越性。 脊柱内固定生物力学：脊柱病变的手术目的多为清除病灶、椎管减压、重建其稳定性,脊柱运动节段是由相邻的2个椎体和椎板及诸多韧带构成的功能单位,对于器械固定后的生物力学研究,无论是数学模型、人工材料还是动物实验都存在种种问题,因此多采用人尸体进行研究,主要评价术后三维运动范围的影响。 背景：随着脊柱内固定技术的全面推广,重塑脊柱力学稳定越来越引起人们的关注,经腋中线胸腔入路侧方内固定治疗上胸椎病损是一种新的手术入路,目前有关其固定后上胸椎生物力学的研究较为少见。 目的：对比侧方和前方钢板内固定模型的上胸椎三维运动稳定性和负重载荷强度,评估经腋中线胸腔入路侧方钢板内固定重建上胸椎是否可以达到符合脊柱生物力学稳定。 方法：从12具人尸体获取C₇-T₆脊柱并双侧肋椎关节标本,进行完整上胸椎模型三维运动稳定性测试,记录为完整椎体组。随后将标本随机分为2组,分别建立传统前方钢板内固定(前方内固定组)与经腋中线入胸腔路侧方钢板内固定模型(侧方内固定组),每组6例标本,先后进行三维运动实验、垂直加压实验与垂直加压破坏实验。实验通过广西医科大学第二附属医院伦理委员会批准,批准号：NO.伦审2017(KY-0080)号。 结果与结论：①完整椎体组左/右侧屈、前屈/后伸、左/右旋转运动下的载荷均小于侧方内固定组、前方内固定组(P < 0.01),前方内固定组左/右旋转运动下的载荷均小于侧方内固定组(P < 0.05),前方内固定组左/右侧屈、前屈/后伸运动下的载荷与侧方内固定组比较差异无显著性意义(P > 0.05);②当载荷到达600 N时,前方内固定组椎体下沉位移小于侧方内固定组[(1.39±0.20),(2.15±0.17)mm,P < 0.01];③前方内固定组与侧方内固定组最大强度载荷比较差异无显著性意义[(1 839.70±122.45),(1 798.65±120.21)N,P=0.571];④结果表明,经腋中线胸腔入路侧方钢板内固定方式是稳定的,它能够满足脊柱重建生物力学需要。 ORCID: 0000-0002-5506-3469(施冬冬) 中国组织工程研究杂志出版内容重点：人工关节;骨植入物;脊柱;骨折;内固定;数字化骨科;组织工程     

门静脉的体表定位及其临床意义

目的：为超声波检查门静脉或经皮经肝门静脉穿刺提供解剖学基础。方法：在４０例成人尸体标本上观测了门静脉的行程及其分叉位置的体表投影。结果：门静脉肝外段与身体的垂线呈约４０°角；门静脉分叉位置在经右半胸宽中点的垂线与右锁骨中线上肝高中点的水平线的交点附近；门静脉右支分为前、后支的位置在剑突尖平面下方约２ｃｍ，右锁骨中线上肝高的中点附近；门静脉左支分出第１外侧支的位置在剑突尖稍下方的右侧约２ｃｍ。结论：在右腋中线剑突尖平面下方约２ｃｍ经皮经肝穿刺至锁骨中线，导管即可进入门静脉右支内     

Left inferior vena cava with regressed right inferior vena cava

A left inferior vena cava was found in the cadaver of an 88-year-old Japanese man during a student dissection course at Kumamoto University School of Medicine. The right common iliac vein ascended obliquely toward the left behind the right common iliac artery and united with the left common iliac vein to form the inferior vena cava in front of the fifth lumbar vertebral body behind the left common iliac artery. The inferior vena cava ascended on the left side to the aorta, and after the left renal vein joined to it at the level of the third lumbar vertebral body, it turned obliquely to the right and crossed superficially to the aorta. At the right side of the aorta, the common stem of the third lumbar vein and the posterior renal vein was joined to the oblique part. The inferior vena cava then ascended, receiving the right renal vein as it would normally. The inferior vena cava is thought to develop symmetrically but this left inferior vena cava shows a persistence of the left channel of the infrarenal part, which normally disappears. Although the common stem of the veins that joined to the oblique part on the right side did not continue to the right common iliac vein, gross anatomical findings suggested it to be the remnant of the right inferior vena cava.