Vesical veins

Diagram of the vesical veins and surrounding structures.

The vesical veins are a network of veins that drain the urinary bladder. These veins are part of the pelvic venous plexus and play a crucial role in the venous drainage of the pelvic organs.

Anatomy

The vesical veins originate from the venous plexus surrounding the urinary bladder. This plexus is known as the vesical venous plexus. The veins from this plexus converge to form larger veins that eventually drain into the internal iliac vein.

The vesical venous plexus is connected to other pelvic venous plexuses, including the prostatic venous plexus in males and the uterovaginal venous plexus in females. This interconnection allows for collateral circulation within the pelvis.

Function

The primary function of the vesical veins is to drain deoxygenated blood from the urinary bladder. This blood is then transported to the internal iliac veins and eventually returns to the inferior vena cava and the heart.

Clinical Significance

The vesical veins can be involved in various pathological conditions. For instance, they may become engorged or varicose in conditions that increase pelvic venous pressure, such as pelvic congestion syndrome.

In surgical procedures involving the bladder, such as cystectomy or transurethral resection of the bladder tumor (TURBT), careful management of the vesical veins is necessary to prevent excessive bleeding.

Related Pages

• Urinary bladder
• Internal iliac vein
• Pelvic venous plexus
• Prostatic venous plexus
• Uterovaginal venous plexus