A 20-year-old man has a left-sided varicocele described as feeling like a bag of worms that disappears on lying down. Which anatomical feature explains the left-sided predominance?
- A The left testicular vein drains into the inferior vena cava directly
- B The left cremasteric vein is longer than the right
- C The left testicular vein enters the left renal vein almost at a right angle ✓
- D The left testicular artery crosses anterior to the ureter
Correct answer: C. The left testicular vein enters the left renal vein almost at a right angle
Explanation
The right testicular vein joins the inferior vena cava obliquely, while the left testicular vein enters the left renal vein nearly at a right angle beneath the superior mesenteric artery. This produces higher left-sided venous pressure and valve incompetence, so varicocele is far commoner on the left. Option A describes the right-sided anatomy and is therefore the best distractor to eliminate.
Reference: Gray's Anatomy for Students, 4th ed.
High-yield for: NEET PGINI-CETNExTFMGEUSMLEPLABMRCP
Written and medically reviewed by the StethoPrep medical team.