Internal iliac vein (Vena iliaca interna)
Educational content only — not medical advice.
Anatomy
The pelvic venous mother: collecting bladder, rectal, genital and gluteal tributaries through obturator, lateral sacral and superior gluteal veins into the common iliac behind the artery — valveless, so tumour spread ascends freely.
Clinical notes
Its tear during radical pelvic surgery is a silent fascia-penetrating venous haemorrhage; the famous tumour venous implantation of liver or kidney cancer travels through it, and puerperal thrombosis embolises the lung without leg signs.
Related structures
Educational references
FAQ
What is the role of the Internal iliac vein?
The pelvic venous mother: collecting bladder, rectal, genital and gluteal tributaries through obturator, lateral sacral and superior gluteal veins into the common iliac behind the artery — valveless, so tumour spread ascends freely.
Why is the Internal iliac vein clinically important?
Its tear during radical pelvic surgery is a silent fascia-penetrating venous haemorrhage; the famous tumour venous implantation of liver or kidney cancer travels through it, and puerperal thrombosis embolises the lung without leg signs.
Source & license
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