In the retroperitoneal space, the left renal vein is longer than the right and crosses anterior to the aorta. Which vein does it receive that the right renal vein does not?

• A Left hepatic vein
• B Inferior phrenic vein
• C Left adrenal (suprarenal) vein and left gonadal (testicular/ovarian) vein ✓
• D Left lumbar veins only

Explanation

The left renal vein receives the left adrenal (suprarenal) vein and the left gonadal vein (left testicular or left ovarian vein) before emptying into the inferior vena cava. On the right, both the right adrenal vein and the right gonadal vein drain directly into the inferior vena cava, not into the right renal vein. This anatomical asymmetry explains why left-sided varicocele is more common — the left testicular vein drains at a right angle into the left renal vein and has higher venous pressure.

Reference: BD Chaurasia's Human Anatomy, 8th ed.

High-yield for: NEET PGINI-CETNExTFMGEUSMLEPLABMRCP

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