What is "iliac vein"

n. one of three veins draining the pelvic area [syn: vena iliaca]

In human anatomy, iliac vein refers to several anatomical structures located in the pelvis:

• Common iliac vein, formed by the external and internal iliac veins, drains into the inferior vena cava
• Deep circumflex iliac vein, formed by the union of the venae comitantes of the deep iliac circumflex artery, and joins the external iliac vein
• External iliac vein, terminates at the common iliac vein, drains the femoral vein
• Internal iliac vein, terminates at the common iliac vein, drains pelvic organs and perineum

Category:Perineum Category:Pelvis