[Durgical](https://durgical.com/en/) › [DurgiPedia](https://durgical.com/en/durgipedia/) › [Anatomy](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/) › [Lower limb](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/region/lower-limb/) › External iliac vein [Cardiovascular system](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/system/cardiovascular-system/) · [Lower limb](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/region/lower-limb/) # External iliac vein The external iliac vein carries blood from the leg up into the [pelvis](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/region/pelvis/); it continues from the femoral vein at the groin. [See in 3D →](https://durgical.app/?from=durgipedia&lang=en#region=lower_limb&select=external_iliac_vein&side=r) Opens in the Durgical app, no sign-up needed. ## What it is A large vein inside the pelvis, continuing from the femoral vein above the groin. ## What it does Returns blood from the leg toward the heart. ## Key points - Iliofemoral DVT (iliac and femoral veins) causes the most swelling and the highest risk of post-thrombotic syndrome; its extreme form, phlegmasia cerulea dolens, threatens the limb - Left-sided iliofemoral DVT is more common, partly because the right [common iliac artery](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/common-iliac-artery/) crosses and can compress the left common iliac vein (May–Thurner) - Lies medial to the external iliac artery at the inguinal ligament, where it is continuous with the femoral vein ## Key facts **Drains** [Lower limb](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/region/lower-limb/) via femoral vein; inferior epigastric and deep circumflex iliac veins **Into** Common iliac vein, joining internal iliac vein in front of sacroiliac joint ## Relations **Course** Continues from the [femoral vein](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/femoral-vein/) behind the [inguinal ligament](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/inguinal-ligament/), runs up along the pelvic brim and unites with the [internal iliac vein](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/internal-iliac-vein/) in front of the [sacroiliac joint](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/sacroiliac-joint/), forming the [common iliac vein](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/common-iliac-vein/) **Lateral** The [external iliac artery](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/external-iliac-artery/) at the groin; higher up the vein passes more behind the artery **Medial** External iliac lymph nodes and the pelvic side wall, along which the [obturator nerve](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/obturator-nerve/) runs below **In front** Crossed by the [ureter](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/ureter/) near the pelvic brim and by the [ductus deferens](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/ductus-deferens/) (or round ligament) near the deep inguinal ring ## How to find it Not palpable. It follows the pelvic brim on the edge of the psoas, partly behind its artery at first and fully on its medial side lower down. In pelvic lymph node dissection it is exposed beneath the [external iliac nodes](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/external-iliac-nodes/); on ultrasound it is traced upward from the common femoral vein above the inguinal ligament, though bowel gas often hides it. ## On imaging Bowel gas limits ultrasound in the pelvis. A common femoral vein Doppler signal that loses its normal variation with breathing suggests a blockage higher up, in the iliac veins. CT or MR venography shows the vein directly. ## Common problems - A deep vein clot (DVT) in the leg can extend up into it. ## Clinical notes - [Kidney](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/kidney/) transplant: the donor renal vein is usually joined to it - Chronic iliac vein obstruction, after DVT or from compression, can be reopened with venous stents - Injured in pelvic fractures and in pelvic lymph node surgery, where it lies beneath the nodes ## Related conditions - [Deep vein thrombosis](https://durgical.com/en/conditions/deep-vein-thrombosis/) ## Test yourself Think of the answer, then tap the question to see it. ## Why is left-sided iliofemoral DVT more common? The right common iliac artery crosses and can compress the left common iliac vein (May–Thurner). ## Which Doppler finding in the common femoral vein suggests a blockage of the iliac veins? Loss of the normal variation of the signal with breathing. ## Where does the external iliac vein end? In front of the sacroiliac joint it unites with the internal iliac vein, and together they become the common iliac vein. [Add to my cards (3)](https://durgical.app/estudiar/?add=/en/anatomy/external-iliac-vein/) Educational information, not medical advice. For any symptom, see a health professional. ## Its names **Official Latin (TA2)** vena iliaca externa TA2 5050 **Official Spanish (DeCS)** Vena ilíaca externa DeCS D007084 **English (TA2)** External iliac vein **Also called** vena ilica externa ## Related - [External iliac artery](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/external-iliac-artery/) - [Femoral vein](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/femoral-vein/) Sources: Terminologia Anatomica (TA2); [DeCS](https://decs.bvsalud.org/es/ths/resource/?id=7267); [Anatomy, Abdomen and Pelvis: Veins](https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK554574/); Anatomy of the Human Body (20th ed.): The External Iliac Artery (Lea & Febiger (Gray's Anatomy, 1918), 1918) · adapted, Public domain. ## **Spotted a mistake?** We are always improving for the community. Tell us what is wrong and our team will review it. Report a mistake Representative model, for educational purposes only. --- Source: https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/external-iliac-vein/ License: CC BY 4.0 (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/). Cite as: DurgiPedia (durgical.com), https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/external-iliac-vein/