Left Renal Vein

The left renal vein and the right renal vein make up the renal veins that drain the kidney. They begin at the hilum of the kidney where three to six tributaries unite. The kidney is connected to the inferior vena cava via the renal veins. The renal arteries are behind the veins, which is unlike most other veins in the abdomen that rest beside of behind the arteries.

The left renal vein joins the inferior vena cava by flowing between the aorta and superior mesenteric artery. It crosses...

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Anatomy Terms

Afferent Arteriole
Arcuate Artery
Arcuate Vein
Bowman's Capsule
Collecting Tubule
Distal Convoluted Tubule
Efferent Arteriole
Glomerulus
Left Renal Artery
Left Renal Vein
Left Suprarenal Arteries
Left Suprarenal Vein
Loop of Henle
Nephron
Proximal Convoluted Tubule
Renal Tubule
Right Gastric Artery
Right Gastric Vein
Right Renal Artery
Right Renal Vein
Right Suprarenal Arteries
Right Suprarenal Vein
Splenic Vein
Suprarenal (Adrenal) Glands

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Full Left Renal Vein Description

[Continued from above] . . . ahead of the aorta. The left renal vein is longer than the right and takes on the left inferior phrenic vein, left suprarenal vein, left testicular and ovarian vein, and left second lumbar vein. This is unlike the body's right side veins, which drain right into the inferior vena cava.