The vaginal veins are venous vessels that drain blood from the walls of the vagina. They form an extensive vaginal venous plexus, which is a network of interconnected thin-walled veins located within the vaginal wall and surrounding connective tissue.

This plexus is particularly dense around the lateral and inferior portions of the vagina. This arrangement ensures efficient venous drainage even during changes in pressure, such as those that occur during sexual activity, menstruation, or childbirth. It communicates freely with several other pelvic venous networks, including the uterine venous plexus via anastomoses along the lateral vaginal walls, vesical venous plexus anteriorly, and anorectal venous plexus through posterior and inferior connections.

These communications create multiple collateral pathways for venous return and contribute to the rich vascularization of the female pelvis. Blood from the vaginal venous plexus drains into the internal iliac veins (Read more!) primarily through the vaginal veins. However, tributaries may also pass via the uterine veins, internal pudendal veins, and other pelvic venous channels.

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Vaginal veins