ARDMS AB-Abdomen Exam - Topic 4 Question 1 Discussion

Actual exam question for ARDMS's AB-Abdomen exam

Question #: 1
Topic #: 4

[All AB-Abdomen Questions]

Which structures converge to form the inferior vena cava?

ARight, left, and middle hepatic veins

BRight atrium and superior vena cava

CRight and left common iliac veins

DSuperior mesenteric and splenic veins

Show Suggested Answer

Suggested Answer: C

The inferior vena cava (IVC) is formed by the confluence of the right and left common iliac veins at the level of approximately L5. The hepatic veins drain into the IVC superiorly but do not form it. The superior mesenteric and splenic veins join to form the portal vein, not the IVC.

According to Moore's Clinically Oriented Anatomy:

''The IVC begins at the level of L5 by the union of the right and left common iliac veins.''

Moore KL, Dalley AF, Agur AMR. Clinically Oriented Anatomy. 8th ed. Wolters Kluwer, 2018.

Gray's Anatomy for Students, 4th ed., Elsevier, 2019.

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by Rex at Nov 19, 2025, 07:11 AM

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Jutta

9 hours ago

Totally agree with C! It's all about those iliac veins.

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Rusty

6 days ago

Wait, are we sure about that? I thought the hepatic veins were involved.

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Pamella

11 days ago

I thought it was A at first, but C makes more sense.

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Emogene

16 days ago

C is correct! Right and left common iliac veins come together.

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Kirby

21 days ago

Haha, I bet the person who wrote this question was feeling a little "vena-cava" when they came up with these options. But C is the clear winner!

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Georgiana

26 days ago

I'm going with C. The inferior vena cava is created by the convergence of the right and left common iliac veins. Gotta love those anatomy facts!

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Yuonne

1 month ago

C is the way to go, folks. The inferior vena cava is the result of the union of the right and left common iliac veins. Easy peasy!

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Tayna

1 month ago

The inferior vena cava is formed by the convergence of the right and left common iliac veins, so the correct answer is C.

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Rosann

1 month ago

Ugh, I'm not sure about this. The question is asking about the structures that form the inferior vena cava, but I'm having trouble remembering the specifics. I'll have to eliminate the options that don't seem right and then make an educated guess.

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Tresa

2 months ago

I'm feeling pretty confident about this one. The inferior vena cava is formed by the convergence of the right and left common iliac veins, which drain blood from the lower extremities. I'm going to select option C.

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Jesusa

2 months ago

Okay, let me see. The inferior vena cava carries deoxygenated blood from the lower body back to the heart. I believe the common iliac veins are the main tributaries that join to form the inferior vena cava, so I'm going with option C.

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Eladia

2 months ago

Hmm, I'm a bit confused on this one. I know the inferior vena cava is a major vein, but I'm not sure which specific veins converge to form it. I'll have to think this through carefully.

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Tawna

2 months ago

I think this is asking about the veins that form the inferior vena cava. I'm pretty sure the right answer is C, the right and left common iliac veins.

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