"Detection of a marsupial cava in the setting of abdominal aortic aneurysms can be made difficult because of flattening and compression of the IVC and its tributaries by the aneurysm 4,6. The radiologist and surgeon should be acquainted with this variant so that it can ideally be recognised pre-operatively."
"The term marsupial cava is in reference to the normal anatomy of marsupials who have an anteriorly placed iliac vein confluence 1,2."
Expected headings
"Gross anatomy"
"Development"
"The anatomic relationship of the inferior vena cava, its tributaries and the aorta is the result of complicated formation and regression of anastomoses between three paired embryological venous channels (posterior cardinal, supracardinal and subcardinal veins). Between the sixth and tenth week of gestation, these channels form circumumbilical venous rings around the primitive common iliac arteries on each side. Normally, the dorsal portion of the ring persists and the ventral limb regresses resulting in an iliac confluence behind the right common iliac artery 3,4. Marsupial cavae result from the anomalous persistence of the ventral limb and regression of the dorsal limb."