[Radiographic anatomy of the inferior azygos system, the ovarian and spermatic veins].

Abstract

The spermatic vein is tributary at the right of the infra-renal cava mainstem and at the left of the renal vein. It is fitted with an ostium or pre-ostium valvula which is normally tight. In the broad ligament of the uterus, the ovarian vein exchanges plexiform anastomosi with the homolateral or contralateral uterine vein through pre- or retro-uterine arches. The spermatic or ovarian reflux is more frequent on the left. Retrograde venography under cava occlusion is a good means to explore these vessels. The big Azygous vein joins the sub-renal vena cava by two roots. The internal root, which is often slender, perforates vertically the dialitic membrane. The external root, bigger, is the vein in L2; the lateral part of its track takes place in the psoas where it gains veins proceeding from the foramina of the adjacent conjugations. On the left side, the roots of the hemi-Azygos appear most frequently in the left-renal vein. There may be a single root: the external root is the Lejars' arch. The variations of the derivative cavo-cava system represented by the Azygos veins are studied on the anatomical plan. Pathological literature complements this study.