Femoral vein

Vena femoralis

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What it is

Accompanies the femoral artery from the adductor hiatus, lying behind it in the thigh and medial to it in the femoral triangle, and becomes the external iliac vein under the inguinal ligament. It receives the great saphenous and deep femoral veins.

Function

The main deep vein of the lower limb.

Size

~1–1.5 cm diameter; has 3–4 valves.

Clinical note

Deep vein thrombosis here can break off as a pulmonary embolus; it is used for emergency central access just medial to the femoral pulse.