Deck 9: The Inferior Vena Cava

Question 1

Blood is moved forward through the veins by

A) gravity.
B) the force of the aorta.
C) valves, which close to prevent antegrade flow.
D) a decrease in thoracic pressure, which pulls the blood to the right atrium.

Answer 1

D
The venous circulatory system is a low pressure system compared to the arterial system. The momentum of the blood during systole forces the venous valves to open as the blood is pushed forward. Also, blood is pulled toward the right atrium by a decrease in thoracic pressure.

Question 2

The inferior phrenic veins are easily seen on ultrasound. ____

Answer 2

False
The inferior phrenic veins are too small to be readily seen with ultrasound.

Question 3

The diameter of the normal adult IVC is approximately

A) 1 cm.
B) 1.5 cm.
C) 2.5 cm.
D) 3 cm.

Answer 3

C
The normal adult IVC is 2.5 cm in diameter. The diameter increases with the Valsalva maneuver or inspiration and commonly decreases during expiration.

Question 4

The left hepatic vein is easily seen on ultrasound. ____

Question 5

Echoes thought to be associated with blood flow sometimes can be seen in the IVC. ____

Question 6

The left common iliac vein is easily seen on ultrasound. ____

Question 7

In a sagittal scanning plane, the right renal artery can be seen as a(n)

A) longitudinal, curvilinear structure anterior to the axial IVC.
B) straight structure posterior to the AO.
C) round, short axis structure posterior to the longitudinal IVC.
D) oval structure anterior to the longitudinal IVC.

Question 8

The gonadal veins are easily seen on ultrasound. ____

Question 9

The inferior phrenic veins are located

A) at the same level as the hepatic veins.
B) superior to the hepatic veins.
C) inferior to the hepatic veins.
D) inferior to the middle hepatic vein only.

Question 10

The lumbar veins are easily seen on ultrasound. ____

Question 11

The walls of the hepatic veins are brightly echogenic. ____

Question 12

The hepatic veins can best be seen in the superior section of the liver. ____

Question 13

The IVC can be divided into the following sections:

A) Suprahepatic, infrahepatic, and midhepatic
B) Hepatic, prerenal, renal, and postrenal
C) Hepatic, lumbar, renal, and gonadal
D) All of the above

Question 14

From inferior to superior, identify the veins that converge into the IVC.

A) Common iliac veins, lumbar veins, renal veins, and left and right suprarenal veins
B) Common iliac veins, lumbar veins, renal veins, right gonadal vein, and hepatic veins
C) Hepatic veins, renal veins, left and right gonadal veins, and left and right suprarenal veins
D) External iliac veins, left suprarenal vein, right gonadal vein, renal veins, and hepatic veins

Question 15

The hepatic veins are anechoic. ____

Question 16

The IVC courses through the liver. ____

Question 17

The right hepatic vein is easily seen on ultrasound. _____

Question 18

Where should the transducer be placed to visualize the common iliac veins?

A) On the right and left groin areas
B) Near the umbilicus
C) At the symphysis pubis
D) None of the above

Question 19

The right renal vein is easily seen on ultrasound. ____

Question 20

In a transverse scanning plane image, the left renal vein can be seen as a(n)

A) straight structure posterior to the SMA.
B) axial structure near the left kidney.
C) longitudinal, curvilinear structure anterior to the aorta.
D) oval structure that empties into the medial IVC.

Question 21

COMPLETION
Indicate whether the IVC is posterior (P), anterior (A), medial (M), or lateral (L) to the structure.
Aorta ____

Question 22

COMPLETION
Indicate whether the IVC is posterior (P), anterior (A), medial (M), or lateral (L) to the structure.
Hepatic veins ____

Question 23

COMPLETION
Indicate whether the IVC is posterior (P), anterior (A), medial (M), or lateral (L) to the structure.
Right kidney ____

Question 24

COMPLETION
Indicate whether the IVC is posterior (P), anterior (A), medial (M), or lateral (L) to the structure.
Intestines ____

Question 25

COMPLETION
Indicate whether the IVC is posterior (P), anterior (A), medial (M), or lateral (L) to the structure.
Body of the liver ____