Test on the anatomy of thoracic veins
Check your knowledge of thoracic venous drainage anatomy. The test covers the topography of the superior vena cava, azygos and intercostal veins, as well as cava-caval anastomoses.
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1. How is the superior vena cava (v. cava superior) formed?
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By the confluence of azygos and hemi-azygos veins
The superior vena cava is formed in the anterior mediastinum by the confluence of the right and left brachiocephalic veins.
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By the confluence of the right and left brachiocephalic veins
The superior vena cava is formed in the anterior mediastinum by the confluence of the right and left brachiocephalic veins.
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By the confluence of internal jugular veins
The superior vena cava is formed in the anterior mediastinum by the confluence of the right and left brachiocephalic veins.
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By the confluence of subclavian veins
The superior vena cava is formed in the anterior mediastinum by the confluence of the right and left brachiocephalic veins.
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I find it difficult to answer
The superior vena cava is formed in the anterior mediastinum by the confluence of the right and left brachiocephalic veins.
2. At what skeletal-topographical level is the superior vena cava formed?
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At the level of the superior thoracic aperture
The confluence of the brachiocephalic veins to form the superior vena cava usually occurs behind the junction of the cartilage of the 1st right rib with the sternum.
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At the level of the aortic arch
The confluence of the brachiocephalic veins to form the superior vena cava usually occurs behind the junction of the cartilage of the 1st right rib with the sternum.
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At the level of the cartilage of the 3rd right rib
The confluence of the brachiocephalic veins to form the superior vena cava usually occurs behind the junction of the cartilage of the 1st right rib with the sternum.
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Behind the junction of the cartilage of the 1st right rib with the sternum
The confluence of the brachiocephalic veins to form the superior vena cava usually occurs behind the junction of the cartilage of the 1st right rib with the sternum.
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I find it difficult to answer
The confluence of the brachiocephalic veins to form the superior vena cava usually occurs behind the junction of the cartilage of the 1st right rib with the sternum.
3. Into which vessel does the azygos vein (v. azygos) directly flow?
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Into the superior vena cava
The azygos vein arches over the root of the right lung and drains into the superior vena cava at the level of the 3rd thoracic vertebra.
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Into the inferior vena cava
The azygos vein arches over the root of the right lung and drains into the superior vena cava at the level of the 3rd thoracic vertebra.
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Into the right atrium
The azygos vein arches over the root of the right lung and drains into the superior vena cava at the level of the 3rd thoracic vertebra.
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Into the right brachiocephalic vein.
The azygos vein arches over the root of the right lung and drains into the superior vena cava at the level of the 3rd thoracic vertebra.
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I find it difficult to answer
The azygos vein arches over the root of the right lung and drains into the superior vena cava at the level of the 3rd thoracic vertebra.
4. From what blood vessel in the thoracic cavity is the azygos vein a continuation?
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Right suprahepatic vein
The azygos vein (v. azygos) is a direct continuation of the right ascending lumbar vein (v. lumbalis ascendens dextra) after it passes through the diaphragm.
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Inferior vena cava
The azygos vein (v. azygos) is a direct continuation of the right ascending lumbar vein (v. lumbalis ascendens dextra) after it passes through the diaphragm.
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Right ascending lumbar vein
The azygos vein (v. azygos) is a direct continuation of the right ascending lumbar vein (v. lumbalis ascendens dextra) after it passes through the diaphragm.
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Right internal thoracic vein
The azygos vein (v. azygos) is a direct continuation of the right ascending lumbar vein (v. lumbalis ascendens dextra) after it passes through the diaphragm.
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I find it difficult to answer
The azygos vein (v. azygos) is a direct continuation of the right ascending lumbar vein (v. lumbalis ascendens dextra) after it passes through the diaphragm.
5. Through which opening in the diaphragm does the right ascending lumbar vein pass into the thoracic cavity, becoming the azygos vein?
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Through the aortic hiatus
Along with the splanchnic nerves, the ascending lumbar vein passes through a narrow slit in the crura of the lumbar diaphragm.
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Through a slit in the right crus of the lumbar diaphragm
Along with the splanchnic nerves, the ascending lumbar vein passes through a narrow slit in the crura of the lumbar diaphragm.
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Through the opening of the inferior vena cava
Along with the splanchnic nerves, the ascending lumbar vein passes through a narrow slit in the crura of the lumbar diaphragm.
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Through the esophageal hiatus
Along with the splanchnic nerves, the ascending lumbar vein passes through a narrow slit in the crura of the lumbar diaphragm.
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I find it difficult to answer
Along with the splanchnic nerves, the ascending lumbar vein passes through a narrow slit in the crura of the lumbar diaphragm.
6. Where does blood from the hemiazygos vein (v. hemiazygos) most often drain?
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Into the azygos vein.
The hemiazygos vein at the level of the 7th-8th thoracic vertebrae turns to the right, crosses the vertebrae anteriorly, and drains into the azygos vein.
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Into the left brachiocephalic vein
The hemiazygos vein at the level of the 7th-8th thoracic vertebrae turns to the right, crosses the vertebrae anteriorly, and drains into the azygos vein.
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Into the superior vena cava
The hemiazygos vein at the level of the 7th-8th thoracic vertebrae turns to the right, crosses the vertebrae anteriorly, and drains into the azygos vein.
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Into the accessory hemiazygos vein
The hemiazygos vein at the level of the 7th-8th thoracic vertebrae turns to the right, crosses the vertebrae anteriorly, and drains into the azygos vein.
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I find it difficult to answer
The hemiazygos vein at the level of the 7th-8th thoracic vertebrae turns to the right, crosses the vertebrae anteriorly, and drains into the azygos vein.
7. What is the syntopy of the azygos vein in the posterior mediastinum concerning the thoracic aorta?
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It lies to the left of the thoracic aorta
In the posterior mediastinum, the azygos vein ascends the right anterolateral surface of the bodies of the thoracic vertebrae, lying to the right of the thoracic aorta.
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It lies anterior to the thoracic aorta
In the posterior mediastinum, the azygos vein ascends the right anterolateral surface of the bodies of the thoracic vertebrae, lying to the right of the thoracic aorta.
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It lies behind the esophagus and to the left of the aorta
In the posterior mediastinum, the azygos vein ascends the right anterolateral surface of the bodies of the thoracic vertebrae, lying to the right of the thoracic aorta.
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It lies to the right of the thoracic aorta
In the posterior mediastinum, the azygos vein ascends the right anterolateral surface of the bodies of the thoracic vertebrae, lying to the right of the thoracic aorta.
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I find it difficult to answer
In the posterior mediastinum, the azygos vein ascends the right anterolateral surface of the bodies of the thoracic vertebrae, lying to the right of the thoracic aorta.
8. Into which veins does blood drain from the anterior parts of the intercostal spaces (vv. intercostales anteriores)?
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Into the azygos vein.
The anterior intercostal veins (vv. intercostales anteriores) collect blood from the anterior walls of the thoracic cavity and empty into the internal thoracic veins.
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Into the hemiazygos vein
The anterior intercostal veins (vv. intercostales anteriores) collect blood from the anterior walls of the thoracic cavity and empty into the internal thoracic veins.
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Into the internal thoracic veins
The anterior intercostal veins (vv. intercostales anteriores) collect blood from the anterior walls of the thoracic cavity and empty into the internal thoracic veins.
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Into the superior vena cava
The anterior intercostal veins (vv. intercostales anteriores) collect blood from the anterior walls of the thoracic cavity and empty into the internal thoracic veins.
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I find it difficult to answer
The anterior intercostal veins (vv. intercostales anteriores) collect blood from the anterior walls of the thoracic cavity and empty into the internal thoracic veins.
9. At what level does the azygos vein arch over the right main bronchus to drain into the superior vena cava?
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At the level of the 5th thoracic vertebra
The arch of the azygos vein arches over the root of the right lung (above the right main bronchus) at the level of the body of the 3rd (or 4th) thoracic vertebra.
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At the level of the 3rd thoracic vertebra
The arch of the azygos vein arches over the root of the right lung (above the right main bronchus) at the level of the body of the 3rd (or 4th) thoracic vertebra.
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At the level of the 7th thoracic vertebra
The arch of the azygos vein arches over the root of the right lung (above the right main bronchus) at the level of the body of the 3rd (or 4th) thoracic vertebra.
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At the level of the first thoracic vertebra
The arch of the azygos vein arches over the root of the right lung (above the right main bronchus) at the level of the body of the 3rd (or 4th) thoracic vertebra.
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I find it difficult to answer
The arch of the azygos vein arches over the root of the right lung (above the right main bronchus) at the level of the body of the 3rd (or 4th) thoracic vertebra.
10. Into which vessel does venous blood drain from the right posterior intercostal veins (IV-XI)?
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Into the superior vena cava
The right posterior intercostal veins (vv. intercostales posteriores dextrae), starting from the fourth and below, drain directly into the azygos vein.
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Into the inferior vena cava
The right posterior intercostal veins (vv. intercostales posteriores dextrae), starting from the fourth and below, drain directly into the azygos vein.
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Into the internal thoracic vein
The right posterior intercostal veins (vv. intercostales posteriores dextrae), starting from the fourth and below, drain directly into the azygos vein.
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Into the azygos vein.
The right posterior intercostal veins (vv. intercostales posteriores dextrae), starting from the fourth and below, drain directly into the azygos vein.
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I find it difficult to answer
The right posterior intercostal veins (vv. intercostales posteriores dextrae), starting from the fourth and below, drain directly into the azygos vein.
11. What veins form the internal thoracic veins (vv. thoracicae internae)?
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Vv. musculophrenicae and vv. superior epigastric veins
The internal thoracic veins are formed at the level of the diaphragm by the confluence of the musculophrenic and superior epigastric veins, accompanying the artery of the same name.
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Vv. intercostales anteriores and vv. bronchial veins
The internal thoracic veins are formed at the level of the diaphragm by the confluence of the musculophrenic and superior epigastric veins, accompanying the artery of the same name.
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Vv. pericardiacophrenicae and vv. thymic veins
The internal thoracic veins are formed at the level of the diaphragm by the confluence of the musculophrenic and superior epigastric veins, accompanying the artery of the same name.
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Vv. lumbales and vv. inferior phrenic veins
The internal thoracic veins are formed at the level of the diaphragm by the confluence of the musculophrenic and superior epigastric veins, accompanying the artery of the same name.
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I find it difficult to answer
The internal thoracic veins are formed at the level of the diaphragm by the confluence of the musculophrenic and superior epigastric veins, accompanying the artery of the same name.
12. Into which vein does the left superior intercostal vein (v. intercostalis superior sinistra) drain?
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Into the azygos vein.
The left superior intercostal vein, collecting blood from the 1st-3rd left intercostal spaces, usually drains into the left brachiocephalic vein.
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Into the hemiazygos vein
The left superior intercostal vein, collecting blood from the 1st-3rd left intercostal spaces, usually drains into the left brachiocephalic vein.
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Into the left brachiocephalic vein
The left superior intercostal vein, collecting blood from the 1st-3rd left intercostal spaces, usually drains into the left brachiocephalic vein.
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Into the superior vena cava
The left superior intercostal vein, collecting blood from the 1st-3rd left intercostal spaces, usually drains into the left brachiocephalic vein.
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I find it difficult to answer
The left superior intercostal vein, collecting blood from the 1st-3rd left intercostal spaces, usually drains into the left brachiocephalic vein.
13. What veins form the longitudinal cava-caval anastomosis on the posterior wall of the thoracic and abdominal cavities?
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Vv. thoracicae internae and vv. inferior epigastric veins
The ascending lumbar veins, collecting blood from the basin of the inferior vena cava, transition into the azygos and hemiazygos veins (basin of the superior vena cava), forming a cava-caval anastomosis.
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Vv. lumbales ascendentes, transitioning into the azygos and hemiazygos veins
The ascending lumbar veins, collecting blood from the basin of the inferior vena cava, transition into the azygos and hemiazygos veins (basin of the superior vena cava), forming a cava-caval anastomosis.
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Vv. paraumbilicales and vv. thoracoepigastric veins
The ascending lumbar veins, collecting blood from the basin of the inferior vena cava, transition into the azygos and hemiazygos veins (basin of the superior vena cava), forming a cava-caval anastomosis.
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Vv. esophageales and vv. left gastric veins
The ascending lumbar veins, collecting blood from the basin of the inferior vena cava, transition into the azygos and hemiazygos veins (basin of the superior vena cava), forming a cava-caval anastomosis.
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I find it difficult to answer
The ascending lumbar veins, collecting blood from the basin of the inferior vena cava, transition into the azygos and hemiazygos veins (basin of the superior vena cava), forming a cava-caval anastomosis.
14. From which topographic regions does the accessory hemiazygos vein (v. hemiazygos accessoria) collect blood?
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From the lower left intercostal spaces
The accessory hemiazygos vein descends to the left of the spine, receiving blood from the 4th-7th upper left posterior intercostal veins, and drains into the hemiazygos or azygos vein.
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From the upper right intercostal spaces
The accessory hemiazygos vein descends to the left of the spine, receiving blood from the 4th-7th upper left posterior intercostal veins, and drains into the hemiazygos or azygos vein.
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From the tissue of the anterior mediastinum
The accessory hemiazygos vein descends to the left of the spine, receiving blood from the 4th-7th upper left posterior intercostal veins, and drains into the hemiazygos or azygos vein.
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From the upper left posterior intercostal spaces (IV-VII)
The accessory hemiazygos vein descends to the left of the spine, receiving blood from the 4th-7th upper left posterior intercostal veins, and drains into the hemiazygos or azygos vein.
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I find it difficult to answer
The accessory hemiazygos vein descends to the left of the spine, receiving blood from the 4th-7th upper left posterior intercostal veins, and drains into the hemiazygos or azygos vein.
15. Into which venous vessel does the unpaired thyroid gland vein (v. thyroidea ima), located in the anterior mediastinum, drain?
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Into the left brachiocephalic vein
The unpaired vein of the thyroid gland descends along the anterior surface of the trachea and usually drains into the left brachiocephalic vein.
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Into the internal jugular vein.
The unpaired vein of the thyroid gland descends along the anterior surface of the trachea and usually drains into the left brachiocephalic vein.
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Into the superior vena cava
The unpaired vein of the thyroid gland descends along the anterior surface of the trachea and usually drains into the left brachiocephalic vein.
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Into the subclavian vein
The unpaired vein of the thyroid gland descends along the anterior surface of the trachea and usually drains into the left brachiocephalic vein.
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I find it difficult to answer
The unpaired vein of the thyroid gland descends along the anterior surface of the trachea and usually drains into the left brachiocephalic vein.
16. Where does the main blood drainage from the thoracic part of the esophagus through esophageal veins occur. esophageal veins
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Into the portal vein
The esophageal veins in the thoracic cavity drain blood predominantly into the azygos vein (right) and the hemiazygos vein (left).
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Into the azygos and hemiazygos vein system
The esophageal veins in the thoracic cavity drain blood predominantly into the azygos vein (right) and the hemiazygos vein (left).
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Into the internal thoracic veins
The esophageal veins in the thoracic cavity drain blood predominantly into the azygos vein (right) and the hemiazygos vein (left).
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Into the pulmonary veins
The esophageal veins in the thoracic cavity drain blood predominantly into the azygos vein (right) and the hemiazygos vein (left).
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I find it difficult to answer
The esophageal veins in the thoracic cavity drain blood predominantly into the azygos vein (right) and the hemiazygos vein (left).
17. Into which vessel do the right bronchial veins (vv. bronchiales dextrae) most frequently drain?
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Into the pulmonary veins
The right bronchial veins, carrying venous drainage from the tissues of the right lung through the systemic circulation, empty into the azygos vein.
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Into the azygos vein.
The right bronchial veins, carrying venous drainage from the tissues of the right lung through the systemic circulation, empty into the azygos vein.
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Into the pulmonary trunk
The right bronchial veins, carrying venous drainage from the tissues of the right lung through the systemic circulation, empty into the azygos vein.
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Into the internal thoracic vein
The right bronchial veins, carrying venous drainage from the tissues of the right lung through the systemic circulation, empty into the azygos vein.
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I find it difficult to answer
The right bronchial veins, carrying venous drainage from the tissues of the right lung through the systemic circulation, empty into the azygos vein.
18. How does the left brachiocephalic vein relate to the branches of the aortic arch?
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Passes behind the trachea
The left brachiocephalic vein is almost twice as long as the right and passes obliquely to the right and downward behind the manubrium of the sternum, crossing anteriorly to the branches of the aortic arch.
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Winds around the aortic arch leftward and posteriorly
The left brachiocephalic vein is almost twice as long as the right and passes obliquely to the right and downward behind the manubrium of the sternum, crossing anteriorly to the branches of the aortic arch.
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Descends laterally to the left common carotid artery
The left brachiocephalic vein is almost twice as long as the right and passes obliquely to the right and downward behind the manubrium of the sternum, crossing anteriorly to the branches of the aortic arch.
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Crosses the mediastinum anterior to the branches of the aortic arch
The left brachiocephalic vein is almost twice as long as the right and passes obliquely to the right and downward behind the manubrium of the sternum, crossing anteriorly to the branches of the aortic arch.
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I find it difficult to answer
The left brachiocephalic vein is almost twice as long as the right and passes obliquely to the right and downward behind the manubrium of the sternum, crossing anteriorly to the branches of the aortic arch.
19. Which veins merge to form the brachiocephalic vein (venous angle)?
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Internal jugular and subclavian veins.
Brachiocephalic veins are formed behind the sternoclavicular joints by the merger of the internal jugular and subclavian veins (forming a venous angle).
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Internal and external jugular veins
Brachiocephalic veins are formed behind the sternoclavicular joints by the merger of the internal jugular and subclavian veins (forming a venous angle).
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Subclavian and axillary veins.
Brachiocephalic veins are formed behind the sternoclavicular joints by the merger of the internal jugular and subclavian veins (forming a venous angle).
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Superior vena cava and azygos veins.
Brachiocephalic veins are formed behind the sternoclavicular joints by the merger of the internal jugular and subclavian veins (forming a venous angle).
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I find it difficult to answer
Brachiocephalic veins are formed behind the sternoclavicular joints by the merger of the internal jugular and subclavian veins (forming a venous angle).
20. Which venous plexuses do the posterior intercostal veins form direct anastomoses with through the intervertebral foramina?
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With the esophageal venous plexus
Through the intervertebral foramina, the posterior intercostal veins connect with the vertebral venous plexuses, draining blood from the spinal cord and its coverings.
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With the plexuses of the sympathetic trunk
Through the intervertebral foramina, the posterior intercostal veins connect with the vertebral venous plexuses, draining blood from the spinal cord and its coverings.
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With the internal and external vertebral venous plexuses
Through the intervertebral foramina, the posterior intercostal veins connect with the vertebral venous plexuses, draining blood from the spinal cord and its coverings.
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With the pericardial venous plexus
Through the intervertebral foramina, the posterior intercostal veins connect with the vertebral venous plexuses, draining blood from the spinal cord and its coverings.
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I find it difficult to answer
Through the intervertebral foramina, the posterior intercostal veins connect with the vertebral venous plexuses, draining blood from the spinal cord and its coverings.
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