Femoral vein

Femoral-triangle-diagram

Sobo 1909 573-574

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Common femoral and subsartorial artery and vein

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The femoral vein is a large blood vessel located in the thigh. It is a crucial component of the circulatory system, responsible for transporting deoxygenated blood from the lower extremities back to the heart.

Anatomy

The femoral vein originates from the popliteal vein at the level of the adductor hiatus, a gap in the adductor magnus muscle. It ascends through the adductor canal and continues into the femoral triangle, where it lies medial to the femoral artery and the femoral nerve. The femoral vein then passes under the inguinal ligament to become the external iliac vein.

Tributaries

The femoral vein receives blood from several tributaries, including:

• The great saphenous vein
• The deep femoral vein
• The medial circumflex femoral vein
• The lateral circumflex femoral vein

Clinical significance

The femoral vein is often used for venipuncture and the insertion of central venous catheters, especially in emergency situations. It is also a common site for the development of deep vein thrombosis (DVT), a condition where blood clots form in the deep veins of the leg, which can lead to serious complications such as pulmonary embolism.

See also

• Femoral artery
• Femoral nerve
• Popliteal vein
• External iliac vein
• Deep vein thrombosis