The vena iliaca interna is a medical term referring to the internal iliac vein, a major blood vessel located in the pelvic region of the human body. It is part of the iliac system of veins, which play a crucial role in the transportation of blood from the lower extremities and pelvic organs back to the heart.
The vena iliaca interna originates from the bifurcation of the common iliac vein at the level of the fifth lumbar vertebra. It descends obliquely within the pelvis and receives blood from various branches, including the gluteal veins, superior and inferior vesical veins, and middle rectal veins. Moreover, it also receives the ovarian or testicular veins, forming a common trunk called the internal spermatic or ovarian vein.
As it continues its course, the vena iliaca interna receives additional tributaries from smaller veins throughout the pelvic region, such as the uterine and vaginal veins in females, and the prostatic venous plexus in males. The vein ultimately joins the vena iliaca externa (external iliac vein), forming the common iliac vein.
The vena iliaca interna serves as a vital conduit for deoxygenated blood, returning it to the heart through the systemic circulation. It has clinical significance as it can be catheterized for diagnostic or therapeutic interventions, including venous sampling, embolization procedures, or accessing blood for hemodialysis. Moreover, the vena iliaca interna's anatomy and abnormalities are of particular interest to medical professionals in various fields, such as vascular surgery, interventional radiology, and urology, due to its proximity to important pelvic structures and potential involvement in pathologies and surgical procedures.
