Which statement about gonadal venous drainage is correct?

Which statement about gonadal venous drainage is correct?

• A. Right gonadal vein drains into the left renal vein
• B. Left gonadal vein drains into the inferior vena cava
• C. Right gonadal vein drains into the hepatic portal vein
• D. Left gonadal vein drains into left renal vein

Answer: (D)

Gonadal venous drainage follows a distinct pattern because of how the renal veins connect to the inferior vena cava. The left gonadal vein drains into the left renal vein, which then empties into the inferior vena cava. In contrast, the right gonadal vein drains directly into the inferior vena cava. The hepatic portal vein is part of a separate portal system that collects blood from digestive organs to the liver, not from the gonads. So the statement that the left gonadal vein drains into the left renal vein is the correct description of its venous drainage. This arrangement also helps explain why left-sided varicoceles are more common in males.

Gonadal venous drainage follows a distinct pattern because of how the renal veins connect to the inferior vena cava. The left gonadal vein drains into the left renal vein, which then empties into the inferior vena cava. In contrast, the right gonadal vein drains directly into the inferior vena cava. The hepatic portal vein is part of a separate portal system that collects blood from digestive organs to the liver, not from the gonads. So the statement that the left gonadal vein drains into the left renal vein is the correct description of its venous drainage. This arrangement also helps explain why left-sided varicoceles are more common in males.