Common iliac vein

Anatomy

Course
Formed by the fusion of the external and internal iliac veins at the brim of the pelvis. Travel briefly before the two common iliac veins fuse together and form the inferior vena cava at the level of L5.

Drain

Receives the deoxygenated blood of the lower limb and pelvis.

Clinical

The right iliac artery travels across the left iliac vein, and the vein may be compressed by the artery, causing what is called May Thurner Syndrome. It results in pain and swelling in the affected leg; it also places the patient at increased risk of deep vein thrombosis.

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