Case

During an abdominal surgical procedure to remove the gallbladder, your index finger is placed into the epiploic foramen. 

Question 2/4 - What is directly posterior to your finger?

Click on your selected option(s) below  (correct = 1, over-thinking = 2+)

Incorrect. While the vertebral bodies are posterior to your finger, there are several other structures between your finger and the vertebral bodies.

Incorrect. The right renal vein (and the artery) is more inferior than the level of the epiploic foramen with both vessels heading into the hilum of the kidney.

Incorrect. The hemiazygos vein is on the left side of the vertebral bodies (the epiploic foramen is to the right side of the body). The azygos vein would be on the left, but also not directly posterior to your finger as there is another structure more anterior than the azygos vein.

In the lumbar region, the hemiazygos is often called the left ascending lumbar vein and the azygo the right ascending lumbar vin to demarcate their lumbar location. Functionally these are extensions of the azygos system of the thorax.

Correct! Directly posterior to your finger are the inferior vena cava on the right side and a little further in the aorta on the left side. These are covered by parietal peritoneum as are all the retroperitoneal structures.

Incorrect. The psoas major muscle is further posterior, located along the lateral sides of the vertebral bodies. Thus, these are not directly posterior at the epiploic foramen.

Incorrect. The adrenal glands are situated at the upper poles of the kidneys. The glands are, thus, more lateral and posterior than the epiploic foramen.