The internal iliac vein is a large but short blood vessel that is responsible for draining the pelvic viscera, walls of the pelvis, gluteal region, perineum, external genitalia, and the medial compartment of the thigh muscles. It is also known as the hypogastric vein. This vein is valveless.

The internal iliac vein is formed by the union of several pelvic and extrapelvic tributaries just above the greater sciatic foramen. It then ascends along the lateral pelvic wall, reaching the pelvic brim. At the level of the sacroiliac joint, the internal iliac vein joins the external iliac vein (Read more!), forming the common iliac vein (Read more!). The internal iliac veins run alongside the internal iliac arteries, collecting visceral and parietal tributaries from the pelvic cavity.

Along its course, the internal iliac vein receives the following tributaries:

Superior gluteal veins (Read more!)
Inferior gluteal veins (Read more!)
Obturator veins (Read more!)
Lateral sacral veins (Read more!)
Middle anorectal (rectal) veins (Read more!)
Internal pudendal vein (Read more!)
Vesical veins (Read more!)
Uterine veins (Read more!)
Vaginal veins (Read more!)

Note: The tributaries of the internal iliac vein are more variable than the branches of the internal iliac artery.

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Internal iliac vein