Question

The vessel seen posterior to the IVC in a longitudinal scan is the:

A) Right renal artery

B) Left renal artery

C) Left renal vein

D) Right gonadal vein

Answer 1

The vessel seen posterior to the IVC in a longitudinal scan is the left renal vein, due to the anatomical positioning of the IVC and the longer length of the left renal vein.

Step-by-step explanation:

The vessel seen posterior to the inferior vena cava (IVC) in a longitudinal scan is the left renal vein. This is due to the anatomical arrangement where the IVC lies primarily to the right of the vertebral column and aorta, making the left renal vein longer than its counterpart on the right. Consequently, the left renal vein crosses posterior to the IVC. Moreover, the gonadal veins' configuration further supports this answer. The right gonadal vein empties directly into the IVC, while the left gonadal vein empties into the left renal vein. Likewise, the left adrenal vein also empties into the left renal vein, unlike the right adrenal vein which enters the IVC directly.