Internal pudendal veins

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== Internal Pudendal Veins ==

The internal pudendal veins are a set of veins in the human body that are responsible for draining blood from the external genitalia and perineum. These veins are part of the venous system and play a crucial role in the circulatory system.

Anatomy

The internal pudendal veins accompany the internal pudendal artery and are situated in the pelvis. They originate from the deep veins of the penis in males and the deep veins of the clitoris in females. These veins then travel through the pudendal canal (also known as Alcock's canal) and eventually drain into the internal iliac vein.

Function

The primary function of the internal pudendal veins is to drain deoxygenated blood from the external genitalia and perineal region. This includes areas such as the penis and scrotum in males, and the clitoris and labia in females. The blood collected by these veins is then transported back to the heart via the internal iliac vein and subsequently the inferior vena cava.

Clinical Significance

Issues with the internal pudendal veins can lead to various medical conditions. For instance, varicose veins in the perineal region can result from improper functioning of these veins. Additionally, these veins can be involved in conditions such as pelvic congestion syndrome and pudendal neuralgia.

Related Structures

• Internal pudendal artery
• Internal iliac vein
• Pudendal nerve
• Perineum
• External genitalia

See Also

• Venous system
• Circulatory system
• Pelvic anatomy