What is "internal iliac vein"

n. a vein that unites with the external iliac vein to form the common iliac vein [syn: hypogastric vein]

The internal iliac vein (hypogastric 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.