Hypogastric vein

General Information
Latin	vena hypogastrica
Greek
TA98
TA2
FMA
Details
System
Artery	Internal iliac artery
Vein
Nerve
Lymphatic drainage
Precursor
Function
Identifiers
Clinical significance
Notes

The hypogastric vein, also known as the internal iliac vein, is a major vein in the pelvis that drains blood from the pelvic organs, gluteal region, and perineum. It is a vital component of the venous system in the lower body.

Anatomy

The hypogastric vein is formed by the confluence of several smaller veins that drain the pelvic region. It runs alongside the internal iliac artery and eventually joins the external iliac vein to form the common iliac vein.

Tributaries

The tributaries of the hypogastric vein include:

• Superior gluteal vein
• Inferior gluteal vein
• Obturator vein
• Lateral sacral veins
• Internal pudendal vein
• Vesical veins
• Uterine vein (in females)
• Prostatic venous plexus (in males)

Function

The primary function of the hypogastric vein is to collect deoxygenated blood from the pelvic organs and transport it to the heart via the inferior vena cava. This process is crucial for maintaining proper circulation and venous return from the lower body.

Clinical significance

The hypogastric vein can be involved in various medical conditions, such as:

• Deep vein thrombosis (DVT)
• Pelvic congestion syndrome
• Varicose veins in the pelvic region

See also

• Venous system
• Pelvic anatomy
• Circulatory system

External links

• Hypogastric vein on WikiMD