Noun: azygos vein
- One of a system of veins that drain the thoracic and abdominal walls; arises as a continuation of the right ascending lumbar vein and terminates in the superior vena cava
"The azygos vein serves as a vital collateral pathway when the inferior vena cava is obstructed";
- azygous vein, vena azygos
Derived forms: azygos veins
Type of: vein, vena, venous blood vessel
Encyclopedia: Azygos vein