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Question 679
Anatomy → Region
Classification
Question
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Anatomy
Question Stem
Which pairing correctly describes venous drainage of the diaphragm?
Options
A
Right: IVC and azygos; left: adrenal/renal and hemiazygos veins
B
Right: hemiazygos and renal; left: IVC and azygos veins
C
Right: portal vein; left: splenic vein
D
Right: superior vena cava only; left: inferior vena cava only
E
Both sides drain exclusively into the azygos vein
Explanation
Diaphragmatic venous drainage is asymmetric: the right side drains through the inferior vena cava and azygos vein, while the left drains through adrenal/renal and hemiazygos veins.
Option Validity
B) The right and left drainage pathways are reversed.
C) Portal and splenic veins are not the stated pathways.
D) Drainage is not confined to the venae cavae.
E) The left side is not described as draining exclusively to the azygos vein.
Further Reading
Saxena - MRCOG-1 Basic Sciences, Chapter 2: Anatomy, Printed p.12.