Right inferior pulmonary vein

At a glance

English

Right inferior pulmonary vein

Latin (TA2)

Vena pulmonalis dextra inferior

System

Vein

Region

Trunk

Side

Single, on the midline

About the right inferior pulmonary vein

The right inferior pulmonary vein drains the lower lobe of the right lung. It carries blood that has just been oxygenated in the alveoli and, like the other pulmonary veins, has no valves.

Inside the lobe the veins run between segments. A superior vein drains the superior segment at the top of the lower lobe, and the basal segments over the diaphragm drain through superior and inferior basal veins, which join as a common basal vein. The superior vein and common basal vein unite close to the hilum to form the main trunk.

This is the lowest structure at the right hilum and lies at the upper end of the pulmonary ligament, the fold of pleura that extends down from the lung root. From there it runs medially, behind the right atrium and close to the termination of the inferior vena cava, and enters the posterior wall of the left atrium below the right superior pulmonary vein.

The vein is approached by dividing the pulmonary ligament in a right lower lobectomy, and it is usually the first vessel controlled when the ligament is freed from below. In catheter ablation for atrial fibrillation it is isolated with the other pulmonary veins, because extensions of atrial muscle into the vein can produce ectopic beats. Its position at the back of the left atrium also means that it is seen well on transoesophageal echocardiography, which is used to assess flow in the pulmonary veins.

Course and drainage

Begins at

Formed near the hilum by the superior vein and the common basal vein of the right lower lobe.

Drains into

Enters the posterior wall of the left atrium below the right superior pulmonary vein.

Drains

Returns oxygenated blood from the right lower lobe to the heart.