Trunk vessels (aorta, vena cava, abdominal branches)
External iliac veins
Vena iliaca externa (dextra et sinistra)
- Origin
- Direct continuation of the femoral vein posterior to the inguinal ligament
- Insertion
- Ascends along the pelvic brim to join the internal iliac vein at the sacroiliac joint forming the common iliac vein
- Function
- Primary venous conduit draining the entire lower limb
- Innervation
- Vasomotor sympathetic fibers
- Movement & chain
- Continuous respiratory-modulated venous flow
- Palpation
- Not palpated directly
- Clinical
- Iliofemoral deep vein thrombosis (DVT; carries high risk of pulmonary embolism and post-thrombotic syndrome), Phlegmasia cerulea dolens (fulminant venous gangrene).
- Segmental innervation
- L2-L4 spinal levels
- In clinical practice
- Lower extremity venous duplex ultrasound protocols, monitoring for signs of compartment syndrome in phlegmasia, catheter-directed thrombolysis (CDT) nursing care
- Region in the model
- Trunk vessels (aorta, vena cava, abdominal branches)