14. Inferior vena cavogram, AP projection

The inferior vena cava (IVC) is formed by the confluence of the common iliac veins anterior to the body of L5. It ascends in the retroperitoneum, to the right of the midline. (Its upper abdominal part is embedded in the posterior surface of the right lobe of the liver). It drains the lumbar, renal and hepatic veins, and the right gonadal, adrenal, and phrenic veins. The IVC pierces the diaphragm at approximately the level of T8 and drains into the right atrium.

Intravascular contrast is filtered and excreted into the urine by the kidneys; hence the visualization of the right renal calyces and pelvic and the left ureter on this study.