Which structure passes through the caval opening?

Which structure passes through the caval opening?

• A. Inferior Vena Cava
• B. Esophagus
• C. Aorta
• D. Thoracic Duct

Answer: (A)

The caval opening is the hole in the central tendon of the diaphragm that transmits the inferior vena cava as it moves between the thorax and abdomen. This opening sits around the level of T8 and is specifically for the IVC, the main vessel returning blood to the heart. The other structures use different diaphragmatic hiatuses: the esophagus passes through the esophageal hiatus (T10), and the aorta (along with the thoracic duct) passes through the aortic hiatus (T12). So the inferior vena cava is the structure that passes through the caval opening.

The caval opening is the hole in the central tendon of the diaphragm that transmits the inferior vena cava as it moves between the thorax and abdomen. This opening sits around the level of T8 and is specifically for the IVC, the main vessel returning blood to the heart. The other structures use different diaphragmatic hiatuses: the esophagus passes through the esophageal hiatus (T10), and the aorta (along with the thoracic duct) passes through the aortic hiatus (T12). So the inferior vena cava is the structure that passes through the caval opening.