Final answer:
The veins that are part of the azygous system include the ascending lumbar vein, inferior phrenic vein, posterior intercostal veins, mediastinal veins, and accessory hemiazygous vein.
Step-by-step explanation:
The veins that are part of the azygous system include:
- Ascending lumbar vein: These veins drain the lumbar portion of the abdominal wall and spinal cord, and they drain into the azygos vein on the right or the hemiazygos vein on the left.
- Inferior phrenic vein: These veins also drain into the azygos vein.
- Posterior intercostal veins: These veins drain the muscles of the thoracic wall and flow into the azygos vein.
- Mediastinal veins: These veins drain the mediastinal region and flow into the azygos vein.
- Accessory hemiazygous vein: This vein is a smaller vein that drains the left intercostal veins and leads to the brachiocephalic vein via the superior intercostal vein.
These veins play a role in draining blood from the abdominal and thoracic regions and returning it to the superior or inferior vena cava.