A 14-year-old boy presents with a right-sided varicocele that does not collapse in the supine position. Imaging reveals a retroperitoneal mass. The left testicular vein drains into the left renal vein. Into which vessel does the right testicular vein drain?

• A Right renal vein
• B Inferior vena cava (directly) ✓
• C Common iliac vein
• D Internal iliac vein

Explanation

The right testicular vein drains directly into the inferior vena cava at an acute angle, whereas the left testicular vein drains into the left renal vein at a right angle, which explains the higher incidence of varicocele on the left side. A non-collapsing right varicocele should raise suspicion of a retroperitoneal mass (e.g., renal cell carcinoma with venous extension) compressing the IVC. This anatomical asymmetry is a classic examination fact.

Reference: Gray's Anatomy, 42nd ed.

High-yield for: NEET PGINI-CETNExTFMGEUSMLEPLABMRCP

Written and medically reviewed by the StethoPrep medical team.