Intermediate Vena Cava Quiz

Q1. Where is the superior vena cava formed?

• Posterior to the left twelfth rib
• Posterior to the right first costal cartilage
• Posterior to the xiphoid process
• At the aortic hiatus

Q2. Which mediastinal compartment contains most of the superior vena cava?

• Anterior mediastinum only
• Posterior mediastinum only
• Pleural cavity
• Superior mediastinum

Q3. At approximately which level does the superior vena cava enter the fibrous pericardium?

• Xiphisternal joint
• Right second costal cartilage
• Right sixth costal cartilage
• Left first costal cartilage

Q4. At approximately which level does the superior vena cava enter the right atrium?

• Right third costal cartilage
• Left seventh costal cartilage
• T12 vertebra
• Right first costal cartilage

Q5. Which major tributary enters the superior vena cava shortly before it penetrates the pericardium?

• Great cardiac vein
• Hemiazygos vein
• Azygos vein
• Left superior intercostal vein

Q6. Which nerve descends along the right side of the superior vena cava?

• Right greater splanchnic nerve
• Left sympathetic trunk
• Right phrenic nerve
• Left recurrent laryngeal nerve

Q7. The inferior vena cava passes through the diaphragm at approximately which vertebral level?

• T4
• T8
• T10
• T12

Q8. In which part of the diaphragm is the caval opening located?

• Central tendon
• Right costal margin
• Left crus
• Median arcuate ligament

Q9. Which structure accompanies the inferior vena cava through the caval opening?

• Thoracic duct
• Branches of the right phrenic nerve
• Azygos vein
• Left vagus nerve

Q10. Which statement correctly compares the intrathoracic courses of the superior and inferior venae cavae?

• The inferior vena cava has a much longer intrathoracic course
• The superior vena cava has a much longer intrathoracic course
• Neither has an intrathoracic course
• Both have identical intrathoracic courses