Femoral vein
Vena femoralis
Also known as: common femoral vein, superficial femoral vein
The femoral vein is the main deep vein of the thigh. It continues the popliteal vein from the adductor hiatus, runs with the femoral artery through the adductor canal and femoral triangle, and becomes the external iliac vein behind the inguinal ligament.
Overview
The vein ascends through the adductor canal, at first behind the femoral artery. In the femoral triangle it moves to the artery's medial side and lies inside the femoral sheath. The femoral canal lies medial to it.
About 3–4 cm below and lateral to the pubic tubercle, the great saphenous vein joins the femoral vein through the saphenous opening, at the saphenofemoral junction. The femoral vein also receives the deep femoral vein. The vein contains several valves.
The segment between the adductor hiatus and the deep femoral vein is sometimes called the "superficial femoral vein". The name is misleading: it is a deep vein, and a clot in it is a deep vein thrombosis.
Anatomy
- Tributaries
The deep femoral vein, the great saphenous vein, the lateral and medial circumflex femoral veins, and muscular veins.
Function
- Drains the deep tissues of the thigh and, through the popliteal vein, the leg and foot.
- Receives the superficial venous drainage of the leg through the great saphenous vein.
Clinical significance
Proximal deep vein thrombosis
A thrombus in the femoral or popliteal vein (proximal DVT) carries a much higher risk of pulmonary embolism than one confined to the calf. Assessment combines a clinical probability score (Wells), D-dimer and compression ultrasound. A vein that will not compress under the probe contains clot.
Femoral venous access
The femoral vein lies about 1 cm medial to the femoral pulse below the inguinal ligament. It is used for emergency central venous access, haemodialysis catheters and cardiac catheterisation.
Test yourself
In the femoral triangle, which structure lies immediately medial to the femoral artery?
- Femoral nerve
- Femoral vein
- Great saphenous vein
- Inguinal ligament
Answer: Femoral vein
From lateral to medial the order is NAVY: Nerve, Artery, Vein, Y-fronts (the femoral canal). This is why femoral venous access is about 1 cm medial to the femoral pulse.
Compiled from standard anatomy and physiology references — see the Cardiovascular System sources. For education only; not medical advice.