The common iliac vein is a large vessel in the pelvic region that returns blood from the legs and pelvis to the heart. Its spelling is derived from its Latin origin, with "common" originating from the Latin word "communis" and "iliac" from "ilia," meaning the pelvis. The pronunciation can be transcribed as /ˈkɒmən ɪliæk veɪn/ with the stressed syllables being "com" and "il," and the unstressed syllables being "mon" and "vein."
The common iliac vein is a major blood vessel in the human body that plays a crucial role in the circulatory system. It is a large vein located in the lower abdomen that carries deoxygenated blood from the lower extremities and pelvic region back to the heart.
The common iliac vein is formed by the convergence of the external iliac vein, which collects blood from the legs, and the internal iliac vein, which gathers blood from the pelvic organs and the walls of the pelvis. It begins at the level of the fifth lumbar vertebra, where the external and internal iliac veins merge to form a single, larger vein.
From its origin, the common iliac vein ascends alongside the common iliac artery, running parallel to it. As it moves upwards, it receives blood from various branches such as the iliolumbar vein and the superior gluteal vein.
At the level of the fourth lumbar vertebra, the left and right common iliac veins unite to form the inferior vena cava, the largest vein in the body responsible for returning blood from the lower body to the heart. The inferior vena cava subsequently carries this deoxygenated blood to the right atrium of the heart for oxygenation.
The common iliac vein is an essential component of the body's venous system, facilitating the return of deoxygenated blood to the heart and maintaining proper circulation throughout the lower body and pelvic region.