[Anatomic study of the left inferior diaphragmatic vein (vena phrenica inferior sinistra)]

The anatomy of the left inferior phrenic vein is poorly understood. It can be exposed by transecting the left triangular ligament and clearing the hepatic veins. We inspected twenty embalmed specimens that were injected with Rhodorsil. Generally, the vein has its origin above the diaphragm near the apex of the heart. After traversing the diaphragm, the vein receives two collateral veins, in front of the left triangular ligament. One is located anteriorly and to the right of the vein, the other one is situated behind and to the left. The phrenic vein continues laterally, passing posteriorly to the triangular ligament, or rarely, when the coronary ligamentum is wider than usual, the vein will pass through it as well. In 74% of the case, the vein terminates into the left side of the left hepatic vein. Three dissections appeared to be very interesting: --in one, the vein followed the free margin, then the hepatic margin of the triangular ligament, receiving accessory hepatic veins, --in another, the vein joined the right inferior phrenic vein in front of the inferior vena cava, --in the third one, the vein followed the left inferior phrenic artery, to join the left suprarenal vein, then terminating in the left renal vein.