Figure 21.

The portal vein (PV) near its formation lies anterior to the inferior vena cava (IVC) and maintains this position till it reaches the hilum. In this case the lymph node (LN) labeled as 12p lies posterior to PV and anterior to IVC. The location of this LN can be also included as precaval because it lies on the anterior surface of the proximal half of IVC. This LN is equidistant from both vessels. The retrocaval LN lies behind IVC anterior to the crux of the diaphragm. The LN of station 8a is also seen lying anterior to hepatic artery