Veins of female pelvis (overview)

Venous drainage of the pelvis is primarily provided by three major veins - the external iliac vein (Read more!), the internal iliac vein (Read more!), and the common iliac vein (Read more!), which is formed by the union of the internal iliac vein and the external iliac vein on each side of the body. These blood vessels collect deoxygenated blood from the lower limb and pelvic walls and viscera, eventually draining into the inferior vena cava (Read more!), which then returns blood to the right atrium of the heart.

The internal iliac vein is the main venous tributary for the pelvic viscera (organs), perineum, and gluteal region, while the external iliac vein drains blood from the lower limb and lower abdominal wall, including tributaries like the inferior epigastric vein. The inferior epigastric vein anastomoses with the superior epigastric vein, forming a connection between the pelvic and thoracic systems.

Additionally, pelvic veins generally mirror the pelvic arteries in their naming and course, and they are also often accompanied by similarly named lymph nodes, such as the internal iliac lymph nodes, external iliac lymph nodes, and common iliac lymph nodes.

The iliac veins and their tributaries are highly variable blood vessels, which is a critical consideration in surgery. Recognizing these variants can significantly impact surgical outcomes and reduce complications in pelvic procedures.