Accessory hemiazygos vein

The accessory hemiazygos vein, also called the superior hemiazygous vein,[1] is a vein on the left side of the vertebral column that generally drains the fourth through eighth intercostal spaces on the left side of the body.[2]

Accessory hemiazygos vein
Diagram showing completion of development of the parietal veins (accessory hemiazygos vein visible at center-left)
The venae cavae and azygos veins, with their tributaries
Details
Drains toHemiazygos vein, azygos vein
Identifiers
LatinVena hemiazygos accessoria,
vena azygos minor superior
TA98A12.3.07.005
TA24758
FMA5011
Anatomical terminology

Structure

The accessory hemiazygos vein varies inversely in size with the left superior intercostal vein.

It usually receives the posterior intercostal veins from the 4th, 5th, 6th, 7th, and 8th intercostal spaces between the left superior intercostal vein and highest tributary of the hemiazygos vein;[3] the left bronchial vein sometimes opens into it.

The vein usually crosses the body of the eighth thoracic vertebra to join the azygos vein. Alternatively, it ends in the hemiazygos vein.[3]

When this vein is small, or altogether absent, the left superior intercostal vein may extend as low as the fifth or sixth intercostal space.

References
  1. Blackmon JM, Franco A (July 2011). "Normal variants of the accessory hemiazygos vein". The British Journal of Radiology. 84 (1003): 659–60. doi:10.1259/bjr/13695502. PMC 3473485. PMID 21697414.
  2. Dahran N, Soames R (September 2016). "Anatomical Variations of the Azygos Venous System: Classification and Clinical Relevance". International Journal of Morphology. 34 (3): 1128–36. doi:10.4067/S0717-95022016000300051.
  3. Rakovich, George; Fréchette, Éric; Deslauriers, Jean (2010-01-01), Lewis, Michael I.; McKenna, Robert J.; Falk, Jeremy A.; Chaux, George E. (eds.), "8 - Thoracic Surgical Anatomy and Procedures", Medical Management of the Thoracic Surgery Patient, Philadelphia: W.B. Saunders, pp. 95–105, doi:10.1016/b978-1-4160-3993-8.00008-8, ISBN 978-1-4160-3993-8, retrieved 2020-11-12
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