Vaginal venous plexus

Illustration of the vaginal venous plexus

The vaginal venous plexus is a complex network of interconnected veins located in the pelvis, specifically around the vagina. It is part of the larger pelvic venous plexus, which also includes the uterine venous plexus and the vesical venous plexus. The vaginal venous plexus drains blood from the vagina and the surrounding structures, returning it to the heart via the internal iliac veins.

Anatomy

The vaginal venous plexus is situated on the sides of the vagina, extending from the lower part of the uterus to the upper part of the vulva. It is composed of numerous small veins that interconnect to form a plexus, or network. These veins are responsible for draining blood from the vagina and the surrounding structures, including the cervix and the vulva.

Physiology

The vaginal venous plexus plays a crucial role in the circulatory system by helping to return blood from the vagina and the surrounding structures to the heart. It does this by draining blood into the internal iliac veins, which then carry the blood to the inferior vena cava, the largest vein in the body, which returns blood to the heart.

Clinical significance

The vaginal venous plexus is of clinical significance due to its role in various medical conditions. For example, it can be involved in pelvic congestion syndrome, a condition characterized by the presence of varicose veins in the pelvis. In addition, it can be affected by endometriosis, a condition in which tissue similar to the lining of the uterus grows outside the uterus.

See also

• Pelvic venous plexus
• Uterine venous plexus
• Vesical venous plexus