In TAPVR, to what structure do the pulmonary veins connect?

In TAPVR, to what structure do the pulmonary veins connect?

• A. Left Atrium
• B. Right Atrium
• C. Pulmonary Artery
• D. Superior and Inferior Vena Cava

Answer: (D)

In TAPVR the pulmonary veins fail to drain into the left atrium. Instead, their blood returns to the right side of the heart, usually entering the right atrium directly or via a vertical vein that connects to systemic veins such as the superior vena cava or coronary sinus. The key point is that the end site of drainage is the right atrium, not the left atrium or the pulmonary artery. Some TAPVR pathways involve drainage into the systemic venous system, but the receiving chamber for the pulmonary venous return is the right atrium.

In TAPVR the pulmonary veins fail to drain into the left atrium. Instead, their blood returns to the right side of the heart, usually entering the right atrium directly or via a vertical vein that connects to systemic veins such as the superior vena cava or coronary sinus. The key point is that the end site of drainage is the right atrium, not the left atrium or the pulmonary artery. Some TAPVR pathways involve drainage into the systemic venous system, but the receiving chamber for the pulmonary venous return is the right atrium.