In this note, we will consider the anatomy, areas of blood drainage and anastomoses of the external iliac vein.

The external iliac vein (v. iliaca externa) is a valveless vein

and a continuation of the femoral vein (v. femoralis). The inguinal ligament forms a border between them.

It follows upwards, medial to the artery of the same name and and lies on the medial side to the psoas major muscle. In its course, it is crossed by the ureter in men, the vas deferens, and by the round ligament and the vessels of the ovary in women.

At the level of the sacro-iliac joint, it communicates with the internal iliac vein (v. iliaca interna);

forming a common iliac vein (v. iliaca communis).

It drains blood from all the veins of the lower limb.

It has a number of tributaries along its length:

The inferior epigastric vein (v. epigastrica inferior) drains the inferior part of the anterior abdominal wall.

It communicates with the external iliac vein 1 cm above the inguinal ligament (lig. inguinale).

The deep circumflex iliac vein (v. circumflexa iliaca profunda) is formed by fusion of veins to the circumflex iliac artery.

It crosses the external iliac artery and communicates with the external iliac vein.

The pubic vein (v. pubica) is an anastomosis between the external iliac and obturator veins.

Dictionary

The external iliac vein

External iliac vein

v. iliaca externa

Femoral vein

v. femoralis

Sacro-iliac joint

art. sacro iliaca

Internal iliac vein

v. iliaca interna

Common iliac vein

v. iliaca communis

Inferior epigastric vein

v. epigastrica inferior

Deep ilium circumflex vein

v. circumflexa iliaca profunda

Inferior epigastric vein

v. epigastrica inferior

Inguinal ligament

lig. inguinale

Pubic vein

v. pubica