Quick Facts
Origin: Union of superior and common basal veins of left lung.
Course: From the left lung to the left posteroinferior aspect of the left atrium.
Tributaries: Superior and common basal veins.
Drainage: Inferior lobe of left lung.
Origin
The left inferior pulmonary vein is formed by the union of the superior and common basal veins.
Course
As the left inferior pulmonary vein exits the hilum of the left lung, it sits anteroinferior to left main bronchus. As it travels medially, the left inferior pulmonary vein crosses anterior to the descending thoracic aorta, pierces the fibrous pericardium, and drains into the posteroinferior aspect of the left atrium.
Tributaries
The superior and common basal veins are direct tributaries of the left inferior pulmonary vein.
Structures Drained
The left inferior pulmonary vein is responsible for the venous drainage of oxygenated blood from the inferior lobe of the left lung.
List of Clinical Correlates
- Pulmonary vein atresia
- Anomalous pulmonary venous connection
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In the left upper pulmonary vein (LUPV), two components of the systolic (S) wave are evident—the S1 wave is a result of atrial relaxation, and the reversed S2 wave is a result of severe MR.
