The inferior vena cava lies to the right of the vertebral column and penetrates the central tendon of the diaphragm at approximately vertebral level TVIII. A number of large vessels cross the midline to deliver blood from the left side of the body to the inferior vena cava.
One of the most significant is the left renal vein, which drains the kidney, suprarenal gland, and gonad on the same side.