The =external iliac vein= (V. iliaca externa) (Figs. 450, 451) lies
behind the corresponding artery at the brim of the pelvis. It is the
upward continuation of the femoral vein, and unites at the sacro-iliac
joint with the internal iliac to form the common iliac vein. Its
tributaries are as follows:
1. The =obturator vein= (V. obturatoria) is a satellite of the artery
and usually opens into the external iliac at the insertion of the psoas
minor. Its radicles anastomose with those of the internal and external
pudic veins (Figs. 451, 455).
2. The =iliaco-femoral= or =external circumflex veins= (Vv. circumflexæ
femoris laterales) are the two satellites of the homonymous artery. They
open a little higher than the obturator.
The =femoral vein= (Figs. 450, 451) lies behind the artery in the upper
part of the thigh, external to it lower down. Its chief tributaries are:
1. A very large but short trunk formed by the union of the deep femoral
and the external pudic vein. The =deep femoral vein= (V. profunda
femoris) corresponds otherwise to the artery. The =external pudic vein=
(V. pudenda externa) arises chiefly from a rich plexus of large veins
situated above and along the sides of the penis and prepuce in the male,
the mammary glands in the female. It passes through a foramen in the
anterior part of the tendon of origin of the gracilis and runs outward
in the subpubic groove behind the pectineus to unite with the deep
femoral vein. The right and left veins are connected by a large
transverse anastomosis and each has a large connection with the
obturator vein. Each receives the =posterior abdominal vein= (V.
epigastrica caudalis) which accompanies the artery of like name. The
=subcutaneous abdominal vein= (V. abdominalis subcutanea) arises in the
skin and panniculus of the ventral abdominal wall, anastomoses with the
internal and external thoracic and deep abdominal veins, and joins the
external pudic or posterior abdominal vein.
A small vein accompanies the external pudic artery in the inguinal
canal.
2. The =anterior femoral vein= (V. femoris cranialis) accompanies the
artery.
3. The =saphenous vein= (V. saphena) (Figs. 451, 458, 460) arises at the
inner side of the flexion surface of the tarsus as the upward
continuation of the internal metatarsal vein. Its course is distinctly
visible. It ascends on the subcutaneous surface of the tibia and the
popliteus muscle, inclosed between layers of the deep fascia, inclines a
little backward to the proximal part of the leg, then deviates slightly
forward, runs upward on the gracilis, passes between that muscle and the
sartorius, and joins the femoral or the external pudic vein.[173] On the
upper part of the capsule of the hock joint it forms an arch with the
anterior tibial vein. The vein has numerous valves. The satellite artery
is relatively small and lies in front of the vein as far as the junction
with the recurrent tibial vein, which it accompanies on the leg. It
receives the =recurrent tibial vein= (V. recurrens tibialis)[174] at the
proximal fourth of the leg. This vessel arises at the inner surface of
the tarsus and forms an arch with the posterior tibial vein at the level
of the tuber calcis. It ascends in the furrow in front of the
gastrocnemius tendon, inclines forward at the proximal third of the leg,
and joins the saphenous vein at an acute angle. It has numerous valves.
A smaller vein from the anterior face of the metatarsus joins the
saphenous at the hock.