Common iliac vein
Encyclopedia
In human anatomy
, the common iliac veins are formed by the external iliac vein
s and internal iliac vein
s and together, in the abdomen
at the level of the fifth lumbar vertebrae, form the inferior vena cava
. They drain blood
from the pelvis
and lower limbs.
Both common iliac veins are accompanied along their course by common iliac arteries
.
Human anatomy
Human anatomy is primarily the scientific study of the morphology of the human body. Anatomy is subdivided into gross anatomy and microscopic anatomy. Gross anatomy is the study of anatomical structures that can be seen by the naked eye...
, the common iliac veins are formed by the external iliac vein
External iliac vein
The external iliac veins are large veins that connect the femoral veins to the common iliac veins. Their origin is at the inferior margin of the inguinal ligaments and they terminate when they join the internal iliac veins ....
s and internal iliac vein
Internal iliac vein
The internal iliac vein begins near the upper part of the greater sciatic foramen, passes upward behind and slightly medial to the Internal iliac artery and, at the brim of the pelvis, joins with the external iliac vein to form the common iliac vein.-Tributaries:With the exception of the fetal...
s and together, in the abdomen
Abdomen
In vertebrates such as mammals the abdomen constitutes the part of the body between the thorax and pelvis. The region enclosed by the abdomen is termed the abdominal cavity...
at the level of the fifth lumbar vertebrae, form the inferior vena cava
Inferior vena cava
The inferior vena cava , also known as the posterior vena cava, is the large vein that carries de-oxygenated blood from the lower half of the body into the right atrium of the heart....
. They drain blood
Blood
Blood is a specialized bodily fluid in animals that delivers necessary substances such as nutrients and oxygen to the cells and transports metabolic waste products away from those same cells....
from the pelvis
Pelvis
In human anatomy, the pelvis is the lower part of the trunk, between the abdomen and the lower limbs .The pelvis includes several structures:...
and lower limbs.
Both common iliac veins are accompanied along their course by common iliac arteries
Common iliac artery
The common iliac arteries are two large arteries that originate from the aortic bifurcation at the level of the fourth lumbar vertebra. They bifurcate into the external iliac artery and internal iliac artery ....
.