Lumbar vein

Lumbar Vein

The lumbar veins. (Lumbar veins labeled at center right.)

The lumbar veins are veins that drain the posterior abdominal wall and the vertebral column. They are typically four in number on each side and correspond to the lumbar arteries.

Structure

The lumbar veins are located in the lumbar region of the body, which is the area of the back between the bottom of the ribs and the top of the hips. They drain into the inferior vena cava on the right side and into the left renal vein on the left side.

Each lumbar vein is formed by the union of several smaller veins that drain blood from the muscles and skin of the back, the spinal cord, and the meninges.

Function

The primary function of the lumbar veins is to return deoxygenated blood from the lower back to the heart. They also play a role in the regulation of blood pressure and volume.

Clinical significance

Abnormalities or injury to the lumbar veins can lead to conditions such as lumbar vein thrombosis, which is a blood clot in the lumbar vein. This can cause pain, swelling, and potentially serious complications if the clot travels to the lungs (pulmonary embolism).

See also

• Vein
• Inferior vena cava
• Left renal vein
• Lumbar region

External links

• Anatomy Atlases - Anatomic Variants in the Human Body: Lumbar Veins