Right and Left Gonadal Veins

Abstract

The roentgenologic and anatomical appearances of the left gonadal vein were discussed by the present authors in two previous papers (1965). It was stated in the first paper that at aortography retrograde contrast filling of the left gonadal vein occurred in men as well as in women and this was considered in relation to the anatomical conditions present in an autopsy material. An absence of valves or incompetent valves in the cranial portion of the gonadal vein existed in more than half of the cases, equally divided according to sex. Valves were more often absent in the men while the women more often had incompetent valves. The width of the left gonadal vein was more closely analyzed in the second paper; the mean circumference figures indicated that the ovarian vein was significantly wider than the spermatic vein and that pregnancy was a contributory factor in this difference. The close relationship between pregnancy and permanent widening of the ovarian vein was discussed. HODGKINSON (1953) measured the width of the ovarian vein during operation in 8 pregnant women. These measurements were made in 6 instances on the left side, in one on the right and in one instance bilaterally; in all of them the

Clinical Outcomes of Varicocele Repair in Infertile Men: A Review

“…This anatomical structure contributes to the high hydrostatic pressure of the left testicular venous drainage system, which was confirmed by a study that detected higher venous pressure levels in the left internal spermatic vein in men with varicoceles [20]. Regurgitation can occur in the internal spermatic vein as a result of the absence of venous valves [21], compression of the left renal vein between the superior mesenteric artery and aorta, or obstruction of the left common iliac vein by the left common iliac artery [22]. Although the precise mechanism has yet to be established, varicoceles can affect spermatogenesis and Leydig cell function by inducing an elevated testicular temperature [23], increased venous pressure [24], hypoxia [25], oxidative stress [26], hormonal imbalances [27], and/or the reflux of toxic metabolites of adrenal or renal origin [28].…”

The relationship between pelvic vein incompetence and chronic pelvic pain in women: systematic reviews of diagnosis and treatment effectiveness

“…At post-mortem dissection, OV valves are absent in 15% of women on the left side and in 6% on the right side. 19 Sometimes, varicose veins may be associated with reflux through vulvar varices without any relation to the saphenofemoral junction or other deep-to-superficial reflux in the lower limb. Such varices also may be associated with clinical symptoms and signs suggestive of pelvic congestion, including uterine retroversion and dyspareunia.…”

Effects of Morinda officinalis Polysaccharide on Experimental Varicocele Rats

“…Most varicoceles occur on the left side, which may be induced by the higher probability of left spermatic venous valves absence [20] and the slower velocity of blood flow of the left renal vein (the left spermatic vein injects into the left renal in a right angle) than the inferior vena cava (the right spermatic vein drains into the inferior vena cava in a sharp angle) [21]. The prevalence of varicocele is as high as 15–20% in the general population; meanwhile, it is related to almost 30–40% of male infertility cases, and the upright walking posture of humans may lead to the high incidence of this disease [22–24].…”