In the

human body The human body is the entire structure of a Human, human being. It is composed of many different types of Cell (biology), cells that together create Tissue (biology), tissues and subsequently Organ (biology), organs and then Organ system, org ...

, the femoral vein is the

vein Veins () are blood vessels in the circulatory system of humans and most other animals that carry blood towards the heart. Most veins carry deoxygenated blood from the tissues back to the heart; exceptions are those of the pulmonary and feta ...

that accompanies the

femoral artery The femoral artery is a large artery in the thigh and the main arterial supply to the thigh and leg. The femoral artery gives off the deep femoral artery and descends along the anteromedial part of the thigh in the femoral triangle. It enters ...

in the femoral sheath. It is a deep vein that begins at the adductor hiatus (an opening in the

adductor magnus The adductor magnus is a large triangular muscle, situated on the medial side of the thigh. It consists of two parts. The portion which arises from the ischiopubic ramus (a small part of the inferior ramus of the pubis, and the inferior ramu ...

muscle) as the continuation of the popliteal vein. The

great saphenous vein The great saphenous vein (GSV; ) or long saphenous vein is a large, subcutaneous, superficial vein of the human leg, leg. It is the longest vein in the body, running along the length of the lower limb, returning blood from the foot, human leg, le ...

superficial vein Superficial veins are veins that are close to the surface of the body, as opposed to deep veins, which are far from the surface. Superficial veins are not paired with an artery, unlike the deep veins, which are typically associated with an art ...

), and the deep femoral vein drain into the femoral vein in the femoral triangle when it becomes known as the common femoral vein. It ends at the inferior margin of the

inguinal ligament The inguinal ligament (), also known as Poupart's ligament or groin ligament, is a band running from the pubic tubercle to the anterior superior iliac spine. It forms the base of the inguinal canal through which an indirect inguinal hernia may ...

where it becomes the external iliac vein. Its major tributaries are the deep femoral vein, and the great saphenous vein. The femoral vein contains valves.

Structure

The femoral vein bears valves which are mostly bicuspid and whose number is variable between individuals and often between left and right leg.

Course

The femoral vein continues into the thigh as the continuation from the popliteal vein at the back of the knee. It drains blood from the deep thigh muscles and thigh bone. Proximal to the confluence with the deep femoral vein, and the joining of the

, the femoral vein is widely known as the common femoral vein. As the common femoral vein leaves the inguinal ligament region it becomes the external iliac vein. Other tributaries of the femoral vein are lateral and medial circumflex femoral veins. The common femoral vein is the segment of the femoral vein between the branching point of the deep femoral vein and the inferior margin of the

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in: It is not listed in '' Terminologia Anatomica'', which is the international standard for human anatomical terminology developed by the Federative International Programme on Anatomical Terminology. However, it was thought to be due for inclusion in the next edition following consensus documents presented in 2001 at the 14th World Congress of the International Union of Phlebology, and in 2004 at the 21st World Congress of the International Union of Angiology. These consensus documents were brought about by the need felt for more clarity and expansion of terms.

Distal segment

Common femoral and subsartorial artery and vein

In the past, the femoral vein was seen to follow the superficial femoral artery a name used to distinguish the

from the deep femoral artery; as per the norm of naming veins to match their artery the femoral vein was called the superficial femoral vein. This was a potentially harmful misnomer since the femoral vein is a deep vein and not a

, and thus a possible site for a

deep vein thrombosis Deep vein thrombosis (DVT) is a type of venous thrombosis involving the formation of a blood clot in a deep vein, most commonly in the legs or pelvis. A minority of DVTs occur in the arms. Symptoms can include pain, swelling, redness, and enl ...

, that may be overlooked as a superficial vein for anticoagulant therapy. Because of the widespread misunderstanding, and possible harmful results from the use of ''superficial femoral vein'', a consensus was arrived at in 2001 during the World Congress of the International Union of Phlebology to change the name from ''superficial femoral vein'' simply to femoral vein. This has been widely recognised and adopted though the use of ''superficial femoral vein'' still persists in some sources. Its use is actively discouraged. It has been suggested that another term be used – the subsartorial vein. A previous usage of ''subsartorial artery'' was published to avoid the name ''superficial femoral vein'' from being used. As per the consensus of 2002, the superficial femoral artery was unchanged.

Tributaries

The

, and the deep femoral vein are two large tributaries that drain into the femoral vein which then becomes known as the common femoral vein. Other smaller vein tributaries are the lateral and medial circumflex femoral veins. These circumflex veins follow the lateral circumflex femoral artery, and the medial circumflex femoral artery.

Clinical significance

The femoral vein is a common site for a

. This can be a proximal DVT in the femoral vein, or more proximal as an iliofemoral DVT usually associated with the common femoral vein. An iliofemoral DVT carries a greater risk of a

pulmonary embolism Pulmonary embolism (PE) is a blockage of an pulmonary artery, artery in the lungs by a substance that has moved from elsewhere in the body through the bloodstream (embolism). Symptoms of a PE may include dyspnea, shortness of breath, chest pain ...

developing. The femoral vein is often used to place a central venous catheter, or ''line'' for venous access.

Ultrasound imaging Medical ultrasound includes diagnostic techniques (mainly imaging) using ultrasound, as well as therapeutic applications of ultrasound. In diagnosis, it is used to create an image of internal body structures such as tendons, muscles, join ...

for locating the vein and catheter placement is advocated over the use of anatomical landmarks due to the possible presence of anatomical variants. This is associated with a significant risk of

infection An infection is the invasion of tissue (biology), tissues by pathogens, their multiplication, and the reaction of host (biology), host tissues to the infectious agent and the toxins they produce. An infectious disease, also known as a transmis ...

. The practice of delivering

recreational drugs Recreation is an activity of leisure, leisure being discretionary time. The "need to do something for recreation" is an essential element of human biology and psychology. Recreational activities are often done for enjoyment, amusement, or plea ...

intravenous Intravenous therapy (abbreviated as IV therapy) is a medical technique that administers fluids, medications and nutrients directly into a person's vein. The intravenous route of administration is commonly used for rehydration or to provide nutr ...

ly using the femoral vein in the groin is relatively common amongst injecting drug users.

Additional images

File:Gray432 color.png, Position of femoral vein and artery in adductor canal File:Gray344.png, Structures surrounding right hip-joint. File:Gray545.png, Femoral sheath laid open to show its three compartments. File:Slide9CCCC.JPG, Femoral vein

References

External links

* —Veins of the lower extremity shown in association with major landmarks." * {{Authority control Veins of the lower limb