The aorta is located to the left of the IVC. It has 2 anterior branches, the coeliac axis and the SMA, which arise from the anterior aspect of the aorta inferior to the liver at the level of T12 (so the coeliac axis may not be seen in the unfasted patient). The IVC is thinner walled. It has 1 structure draining anteriorly, the middle hepatic vein, which enters in the liver parenchyma just inferior to the junction with the right atrium.

The IVC is found to the right of the aorta (except in very rare congenital anomalies), but note that both pulsate.