On which side of the spinal column is the azygous vein located?

The azygous vein is predominantly located on the right side of the spinal column. It plays a significant role in the venous drainage of the thorax. Specifically, the azygous vein receives blood from the right intercostal veins, as well as from various other structures such as the hemiazygos vein, which drains the left side of the thoracic region but crosses over to the azygous vein on the right.

This anatomical positioning allows the azygous vein to act as a crucial connector between the superior and inferior vena cabae, assisting in venous return from the thorax and abdomen. Understanding the location of the azygous vein is important for various medical procedures and imaging interpretations, especially in the context of thoracic surgeries and the assessment of thoracic pathologies.