The parts of the liver which lie anterior and to the left of the inferior vena cava have been cut away to expose the vena cava (3) as it approaches the diaphragm and is joined by the right and left hepatic veins. The liver has been pulled somewhat to the right. The segment of the vena cava which lay behind the epiploic foramen is indicated by the band of peritoneum(9) which has been left intact across the vessel. Immediately above this area, as vena cava approaches the liver, a sizable hepatic vein (6) enters the vena cava from the lower part of the right hepatic lobe. Other smaller hepatic tributaries to the vena cava have been cut off at higher levels. The celiac artery is obscured by parts of the plexus of nerves which surround it.