| External iliac vein | |
|---|---|
 Veins of theabdomen andlower limb -inferior vena cava,common iliac vein,external iliac vein,internal iliac vein,femoral vein and their tributaries. Theaorta and its bifurcation (unlabeled) appear in red. | |
 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 from | Lower 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 | |
Theexternal iliac veins are largeveins that connect thefemoral veins to thecommon iliac veins. Their origin is at the inferior margin of theinguinal ligaments and they terminate when they join theinternal iliac veins (to form thecommon iliac veins).
Both external iliac veins are accompanied along their course byexternal iliac arteries.
A continuation of thefemoral 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 thelesser pelvis to unite with the internal iliac vein anterior to thesacroiliac 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 theureter and internal iliac artery which both extend towards the middle. In males it is crossed by thevas deferens and in females theround ligament andovarian 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 theinferior epigastric veins and thedeep circumflex iliac vein.[4]
In 1967, Cockett noted anatomical variations which predisposed to compression of the external iliac vein, amongst other veins. Although less common thanMay-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 todeep vein thrombosis.[5]
Failure to develop oragenesis of the external iliac vein has been described in association withKlippel–Trenaunay syndrome.[4]
