Fetal development of the retrohepatic inferior vena cava and accessory hepatic veins: Re-evaluation of the Alexander Barry's hypothesis.

摘要: The retrohepatic inferior vena cava (IVC) is commonly considered to originate from the right vitelline or omphalomesenteric vein. In contrast, Alexander Barry hypothesized that one of hepatic veins grows merge with subcardinal vein and develops into IVC. We re-examined fetal development IVC other related using serial histological sections 20 human fetuses between 6 16 weeks gestation. At 6–7 weeks, when a basic configuration portal-hepatic systems had just been established, (i.e., posterocaudal in present study) grown caudally reach surface liver, notably, extended primitive adrenal gland (five eight early-staged fetuses). Because (IRHV) appeared at same developmental stage, it likely any peripheral remnants would continue function as primary drainage territory for IRHV. caudate developed rapidly accordance marked caudal leftward extension Spiegel's lobe 12–16 weeks. Thin accessory later than results supported Barry's hypothesis. Clin. Anat. 23:297–303, 2010. © 2010 Wiley-Liss, Inc.