External iliac vein
Vena iliaca externa
CardiovascularBlood vesselsPelvisLeft and right
View left in 3D View right in 3D
- What it is
- Continues the femoral vein above the inguinal ligament and runs along the pelvic brim, medial and then posterior to the external iliac artery, to join the internal iliac vein in front of the sacroiliac joint.
- Function
- Drains the lower limb and lower abdominal wall.
- Size
- ~1.2–1.5 cm diameter.
- Clinical note
- Compression of the left iliac vein by the overlying right common iliac artery (May–Thurner syndrome) predisposes to left-leg DVT.