Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 13, 2025
Synergizing Antegrade Endoscopic with Bridging Vein Harvesting for Improvement of Great Saphenous Vein Graft Quality from the Lower Leg
Published on: November 19, 2019
The complete anatomy of the azygos vein: a meta-analysis with clinical implications
Dawid Plutecki1,2, Michał Bonczar2,3, Patryk Ostrowski2,3
1Collegium Medicum, Jan Kochanowski University, Kielce, Poland.
Background:
The azygos vein (AV) plays a crucial role in the mediastinal region, exhibiting considerable variability in its anatomy and relationship with surrounding structures. This study aims to assess the morphometry and anatomy of the AV through a comprehensive meta-analysis of studies reporting extractable data on this vessel.
Materials And Methods:
Major online medical databases such as PubMed, Scopus, ScienceDirect, Web of Science, SciELO, BIOSIS, Current Content Connect, Korean Journal Database, and Wiley Online Library were searched to gather all relevant studies regarding the anatomical characteristics of the AV.
Results:
The results of the present meta-analysis comprised 40 studies, categorised into 8 groups for data analysis. The mean AV diameter at its origin was set at 3.86 mm (SE = 0.84). The most prevalent was type IIB, with a prevalence of 40.23% (95% CI: 29.06-51.92%). The pooled prevalence of the right subcostal and right ascending lumbar veins forming the AV was 73.82% (95% CI: 55.77-88.67%).
Conclusions:
The AV exhibits a high degree of variability regarding its origin, trajectory, and connections with the hemiazygos system. The most prevalent type of AV, according to the Anson and McVay classification [4], was Type II (transitional type). Moreover, the vein was found to be formed by the right subcostal and the right ascending lumbar veins in most of the cases. This is the most comprehensive and current assessment of AV morphometry and anatomy to date. The findings are a valuable resource for physicians, especially surgeons performing various procedures in the mediastinum.
More Related Videos
08:05Occlusion of the Great and Small Saphenous Vein Using Copolymeric Glue Based on N-Butyl Cyanoacrylate and Methacryloxy Sulfolane
Published on: December 9, 2022
06:02Anatomical Reconstructions of the Human Cardiac Venous System using Contrast-computed Tomography of Perfusion-fixed Specimens
Published on: April 18, 2013
Related Concept Videos
01:19Veins of Thorax
The azygos vein, positioned just right of the midline and anterior to the vertebral column, begins at the junction of the right ascending lumbar and subcostal veins, terminating in the superior vena cava. This vein drains blood from the right side of the thoracic wall, thoracic viscera, and posterior abdominal wall.
The...
01:18Veins of the Abdomen and Pelvis
The inferior vena cava is fed by numerous smaller veins. The lumbar veins, for instance, drain the posterior abdominal wall, emptying both directly into the inferior vena cava and into the...
01:11Overview of Systemic Veins
The coronary sinus, the heart's principal vein, resides in the coronary sulcus on the heart's posterior aspect. This broad venous channel receives nearly all venous blood from the myocardium, the heart muscle. It is fed by three primary veins: the great cardiac vein, the...
01:04Venous Return
What is Venous Return?
Venous return refers to the rate at which blood flows back to the heart from the body's peripheral veins. It's an integral part of the circulatory system...
01:28Esophageal Varices-II: Clinical Features and Management
In the initial assessment, a thorough review of the patient's medical history is vital to identify risk factors such as liver disease, alcohol...
01:15Veins of Lower Limbs
Formed by the union of the medial and lateral plantar veins, the posterior tibial vein, rising through the calf muscle, assimilates the fibular vein. The anterior tibial vein, a superior extension of the foot's dorsalis pedis vein, merges with the posterior tibial vein at the...