External iliac vein

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External iliac vein
Iliac veins.gif
Veins of the abdomen and lower limb - inferior vena cava, common iliac vein, external iliac vein, internal iliac vein, femoral vein and their tributaries. The aorta and its bifurcation (unlabeled) appear in red.
Gray547.png
The relations of the femoral and abdominal inguinal rings, seen from within the abdomen. Right side. (External iliac vein is large vein at center.)
Details
Drains fromLower limbs
Source Femoral veins
Drains to Common iliac vein
Artery External iliac arteries
Identifiers
Latin vena iliaca externa
TA98 A12.3.10.024
TA2 5050
FMA 18883
Anatomical terminology

The external iliac veins are large veins that connect the femoral veins to the common iliac veins. Their origin is at the inferior margin of the inguinal ligaments and they terminate when they join the internal iliac veins (to form the common iliac veins).

Contents

Both external iliac veins are accompanied along their course by external iliac arteries.

Structure

A continuation of the femoral vein, [1] the external iliac vein starts at the level of the inguinal ligament. [2] It runs beside its corresponding artery and along the brim of the lesser pelvis to unite with the internal iliac vein anterior to the sacroiliac joint where it forms the common iliac vein. [3]

The left external iliac vein remains medial to the artery along its whole path. The right external iliac vein is medial to the artery, but as it ascends, it runs posterior to it. [2]

The external iliac vein is crossed by the ureter and internal iliac artery which both extend towards the middle. In males it is crossed by the vas deferens and in females the round ligament and ovarian vessels cross it. Psoas major lies to its side, except where the artery intervenes. [4]

The external iliac vein may have one valve, but often has no valves. [2]

In addition to pubic veins, the main tributaries of the external iliac veins are the inferior epigastric veins and the deep circumflex iliac vein. [4]

Clinical significance and history

In 1967, Cockett noted anatomical variations which predisposed to compression of the external iliac vein, amongst other veins. Although less common than May-Thurner syndrome, it is being progressively documented due to modern imaging methods. Compression of the left external iliac vein by the right common iliac artery or left hypogastric artery can occur as it crosses over the vein into the pelvis. The right external iliac vein can similarly be compressed. Such compressions may contribute to deep vein thrombosis. [5]

Failure to develop or agenesis of the external iliac vein has been described in association with Klippel–Trenaunay syndrome. [4]

Additional images

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Femoral artery</span> Large artery in the thigh

The femoral artery is a large artery in the thigh and the main arterial supply to the thigh and leg. The femoral artery gives off the deep femoral artery and descends along the anteromedial part of the thigh in the femoral triangle. It enters and passes through the adductor canal, and becomes the popliteal artery as it passes through the adductor hiatus in the adductor magnus near the junction of the middle and distal thirds of the thigh.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Femoral triangle</span> Anatomical region of the thigh

The femoral triangle is an anatomical region of the upper third of the thigh. It is a subfascial space which appears as a triangular depression below the inguinal ligament when the thigh is flexed, abducted and laterally rotated.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Inguinal canal</span> Human abdominal anatomy

The inguinal canal is a passage in the anterior abdominal wall on each side of the body, which in males, convey the spermatic cords and in females, the round ligament of the uterus. The inguinal canals are larger and more prominent in males.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Inguinal ligament</span> Band running from the pubic tubercle to the anterior superior iliac spine

The inguinal ligament, also known as Poupart's ligament or groin ligament, is a band running from the pubic tubercle to the anterior superior iliac spine. It forms the base of the inguinal canal through which an indirect inguinal hernia may develop.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Femoral vein</span> Large blood vessel in the leg

In the human body, the femoral vein is the vein that accompanies the femoral artery in the femoral sheath. It is a deep vein that begins at the adductor hiatus as the continuation of the popliteal vein. The great saphenous vein, and the deep femoral vein drain into the femoral vein in the femoral triangle when it becomes known as the common femoral vein. It ends at the inferior margin of the inguinal ligament where it becomes the external iliac vein. Its major tributaries are the deep femoral vein, and the great saphenous vein. The femoral vein contains valves.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Common iliac vein</span> Veins draining blood from the pelvis and lower limbs

In human anatomy, the common iliac veins are formed by the external iliac veins and internal iliac veins. The left and right common iliac veins come together in the abdomen at the level of the fifth lumbar vertebra, forming the inferior vena cava. They drain blood from the pelvis and lower limbs.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">External iliac artery</span> Arteries of the pelvis

The external iliac arteries are two major arteries which bifurcate off the common iliac arteries anterior to the sacroiliac joint of the pelvis.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Iliopsoas</span> Joined psoas and the iliacus muscles

The iliopsoas muscle refers to the joined psoas major and the iliacus muscles. The two muscles are separate in the abdomen, but usually merge in the thigh. They are usually given the common name iliopsoas. The iliopsoas muscle joins to the femur at the lesser trochanter. It acts as the strongest flexor of the hip.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Anterior superior iliac spine</span> Bony projection of the iliac bone

The anterior superior iliac spine (ASIS) is a bony projection of the iliac bone, and an important landmark of surface anatomy. It refers to the anterior extremity of the iliac crest of the pelvis. It provides attachment for the inguinal ligament, and the sartorius muscle. The tensor fasciae latae muscle attaches to the lateral aspect of the superior anterior iliac spine, and also about 5 cm away at the iliac tubercle.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Internal iliac artery</span> Main artery of the pelvis

The internal iliac artery is the main artery of the pelvis.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Inferior epigastric artery</span> Blood vessel

In human anatomy, the inferior epigastric artery is an artery that arises from the external iliac artery. It is accompanied by the inferior epigastric vein; inferiorly, these two inferior epigastric vessels together travel within the lateral umbilical fold The inferior epigastric artery then traverses the arcuate line of rectus sheath to enter the rectus sheath, then anastomoses with the superior epigastric artery within the rectus sheath.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Femoral nerve</span> Long nerve down the thigh and inner leg

The femoral nerve is a nerve in the thigh that supplies skin on the upper thigh and inner leg, and the muscles that extend the knee. It is the largest branch of the lumbar plexus.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Lateral cutaneous nerve of thigh</span> Nerve of the thigh

The lateral cutaneous nerve of the thigh is a cutaneous nerve of the thigh. It originates from the dorsal divisions of the second and third lumbar nerves from the lumbar plexus. It passes under the inguinal ligament to reach the thigh. It supplies sensation to the skin on the lateral part of the thigh by an anterior branch and a posterior branch.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Obturator artery</span>

The obturator artery is a branch of the internal iliac artery that passes antero-inferiorly on the lateral wall of the pelvis, to the upper part of the obturator foramen, and, escaping from the pelvic cavity through the obturator canal, it divides into an anterior branch and a posterior branch.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Inferior gluteal veins</span>

The inferior gluteal veins are venae comitantes of the inferior gluteal artery. They commence in the superior/proximal posterior thigh. They enter the pelvis through the lower part of the greater sciatic foramen. They converge to form a single vessel before emptying into the distal portion of the internal iliac vein.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Lateral umbilical fold</span>

The lateral umbilical fold is an elevation of the peritoneum lining the inner/posterior surface of the lower anterior abdominal wall formed by the underlying inferior epigastric artery and inferior epigastric vein which the peritoneum covers. Superiorly, the lateral umbilical fold ends where the vessels reach and enter the rectus sheath at the arcuate line of rectus sheath; in spite of the name, the lateral umbilical folds do not extend as far superiorly as the umbilicus. Inferiorly, it extends to just medial to the deep inguinal ring.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Iliac fascia</span> Fascia of the pelvis

The iliac fascia is the fascia overlying the iliacus muscle.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Internal iliac vein</span> Large blood vessel of the pelvis

The internal iliac vein begins near the upper part of the greater sciatic foramen, passes upward behind and slightly medial to the internal iliac artery and, at the brim of the pelvis, joins with the external iliac vein to form the common iliac vein.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Deep circumflex iliac artery</span> Artery in the pelvis

The deep circumflex iliac artery is an artery in the pelvis that travels along the iliac crest of the pelvic bone.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Outline of human anatomy</span> Overview of and topical guide to human anatomy

The following outline is provided as an overview of and topical guide to human anatomy:

References

  1. Sinnatamby, Chummy S. (2011). "5". Last's Anatomy: Regional and Applied (12th ed.). Great Britain: Churchill Livingstone Elsevier. p. 309. ISBN   978-0-7020-4839-5 . Retrieved March 16, 2018.
  2. 1 2 3 Mozes, Geza; Gloviczki, Peter (2014). John J. Bergan & Nisha Bunke-Paquette (ed.). The Vein Book (2nd ed.). New York: Oxford University Press. p. 21. ISBN   978-0-19-539963-9.
  3. Netter, Frank H. (2017). James C Reynolds (ed.). The Netter Collection of Medical Illustrations: Digestive System: Part I - The Upper Digestive Tract. Vol. 9 (2nd ed.). Philadelphia: Elsevier. p. 35. ISBN   978-0-323-38936-5.
  4. 1 2 3 Delancey, John O.L. (2016). "73, True pelvis, pelvic floor and perineum". In Standring, Susan (ed.). Gray's Anatomy: The Anatomical Basis of Clinical Practice (41st ed.). Elsevier. pp. 1221–1236. ISBN   978-0-7020-6851-5.
  5. DeRubertis, Brian; Patel, Rhasheet (2017). "35, May-Thurner Syndrome: Diagnosis and Management". In Cassius Iyad Ochoa Chaar (ed.). Current Management of Venous Diseases. Springer International Publishing. pp. 464–465. ISBN   978-3-319-65226-9.