ascending lumbar vein

Introduction

Paired vertical veins of the posterior abdominal wall, connecting the common iliac, iliolumbar & lumbar veins in the paravertebral line.

Course

• adjacent to & parallel to the vertebral column
• posterior to the origin of the psoas major muscle

Empties into

• on the right, joins the right subcostal vein to form the azygos vein
• on the left, joins the left subcostal vein to form the hemiazygos vein

More general terms

• vein

Additional terms

• azygos vein
• common iliac vein
• hemiazygos vein
• iliolumbar vein
• lumbar vein
• psoas major