Today we are going to talk about a very important blood vessel in our body that you may not have heard of, but it is called the `External Iliac Vein`. It is located in our pelvis, that is, in the area of the hip (pelvis). Let's see what it is, what happens to it, and what we can do to keep it healthy.
What are External Iliac Veins?
Simply put, the External Iliac Veins are large blood vessels located in your pelvic area. Think of them as veins that help carry used, oxygen-poor blood from your lower body, i.e. your legs, back to your heart.
These are actually extensions of the `Femoral Veins`, the main blood vessels in your thighs. This means that the oxygen-poor blood from your legs comes through these `Femoral Veins` and joins the `External Iliac Veins` as it travels up towards your heart. Got it?
Are Internal Iliac Veins the same thing?
Yes, in addition to the `External Iliac Veins`, there is another system of veins called the `Internal Iliac Veins`. Both of these work in a similar way. However, the `Internal Iliac Veins` mainly collect oxygen-poor blood from the organs inside your pelvic cavity. That is:
- From your buttocks.
- From the external genitalia.
- On the inner side of the thighs.
- and the area between the anus and the genitals (`Perineum`).
So, these `External` and `Internal Iliac Veins` come together to collect all the oxygen-poor blood in the pelvic area and legs and make a path to send it to the heart.
So what exactly happens with the External Iliac Vein?
These `External Iliac Veins` are a very important part of our body's circulatory system. Their main function is to carry oxygen-depleted blood back to the heart. Where does this blood come from?
- From the front of your abdomen and some of the organs in your abdomen.
- From the lower legs (below the knee).
- From the navel area and reproductive organs.
The oxygen-poor blood that collects from all these places travels to the right side of the heart through the `External Iliac Veins`.
Did you mean low-oxygen blood? Is that what "blue blood" means?
You may have heard people sometimes refer to it as "blue blood" or "deoxygenated blood." Our blood is not actually blue. But there is something about it:
Our circulatory system is made up of arteries, veins, and many other small blood vessels. Most of the time, it is the arteries that carry "good blood" (red blood), which is full of oxygen and nutrients, throughout the body. This oxygen is what every cell and tissue in our body needs to live and function.
So, after the body's cells use up this oxygen, the oxygen level in that blood decreases. That deoxygenated blood travels back to the heart through the veins. The heart pumps that blood back to the lungs (through the `Pulmonary Arteries`) to pick up new oxygen. Sometimes this deoxygenated blood is called ``blue blood`` or ``oxygen-poor blood``. This is probably because of the color that appears under the skin as it travels through the veins.
How are these Iliac Veins connected to the circulatory system?
A very important question. On the right and left sides of your body, there is an `External Iliac Vein` and an `Internal Iliac Vein`. Since these are located a little further from the heart, they are also called `peripheral blood vessels`. Parallel to these `Iliac Veins`, there are `Iliac Arteries` that carry oxygenated blood downwards.
Now look, at the lowest part of your spine, where the sacrum joins the pelvis, at the Sacroiliac (SI) joint, these External and Internal Iliac Veins come together to form the right and left common iliac veins.
Then, a little further up, at about the fifth vertebra in your spine, these right and left Common Iliac Veins join to form the largest vein in our body, the Inferior Vena Cava. That Inferior Vena Cava is what carries all the oxygen-poor blood from the lower body to the right atrium of the heart. Isn't it an amazing mechanism?
Where exactly are the External Iliac Veins located?
These `External Iliac Veins` are located inside your pelvis. As mentioned earlier, they are an upward extension of the `Femoral Veins` in your thighs. To be precise:
- These begin below your navel, behind two bands of tissue called the Inguinal Ligaments in your groin area. This ligament connects your abdominal muscles to your pelvis.
- These veins then travel upwards parallel to the Iliac Arteries, which carry oxygenated blood to the legs, pelvic region, and reproductive organs.
- It runs along the upper edge of your pelvis (pelvic brim) to the sacrum.
- On this journey, urine passes through the tubes that carry urine from the kidneys to the bladder (`ureters`) and the vas deferens in men or the ovaries in women.
- Finally, the `Internal Iliac Veins` join together to form the `Common Iliac Veins`, which in turn form the `Inferior Vena Cava`.
Are there other small veins that collect blood from the External Iliac Veins?
Yes, several other small veins collect deoxygenated blood into the `External Iliac Veins`. Here are a few examples:
- Inferior Epigastric Vein : This collects blood from the anterior abdominal muscles above the inguinal ligament.
- `Deep Iliac Circumflex Vein` : This passes through the `External Iliac Artery` and collects blood from the `External Iliac Vein`.
- `Pubic Vein` : Collects blood from the navel area.
What conditions can affect the External Iliac Veins?
Unfortunately, there are several medical conditions that can also affect these important veins. Let's be aware of that as well.
1. Deep Vein Thrombosis (DVT)
This is a condition that many people have heard of, and it can be a bit serious. `Deep Vein Thrombosis` or `DVT` is when one or more blood clots form in a deep vein in your legs. This blood clot (`thrombus`) can completely or partially block the flow of blood through the vein.
Important: A blood clot (`Trombus`) in the leg may not be life-threatening right away. However, it needs to be treated quickly to dissolve the clot. Otherwise, it can break loose and become an `Embolus` that travels through the bloodstream.
2. Blood clots traveling to the lungs (Pulmonary Embolism)
This can be a very dangerous consequence of a `DVT`. If a `DVT` blood clot that forms in the leg breaks away, travels up the bloodstream, and becomes lodged in the arteries that carry blood to the lungs (`Pulmonary Arteries`), that is called `Pulmonary Embolism`.
This is a very dangerous condition. Because the amount of blood and oxygen reaching the lungs decreases, and the pressure in the pulmonary arteries increases. This can cause damage to the heart and lungs. This is an emergency that requires immediate medical attention.
3. Chronic Venous Insufficiency (CVI)
Healthy leg veins have small valves inside them. These help oxygen-poor blood flow back toward the heart, which is the upper part of the body, instead of flowing back down. However, if these valves are damaged, blood starts to leak back down. This can cause blood to pool in the lower legs, causing swelling, heaviness, and pain. This is called `Chronic Venous Insufficiency (CVI). `DVT`, high blood pressure, pelvic tumors, and vascular malformations can cause `CVI`.
4. May-Thurner Syndrome
This is also called `Iliac Vein Compression Syndrome`. What happens in this is that the right `Iliac Artery` (artery) and the left `Iliac Vein` (vein) are pressed against the spine. When this is pressed, blood cannot flow properly through that vein to the heart. Blood can pool in one place and cause swelling in the legs, and sometimes `DVT` can also occur.
How do I keep my External Iliac Veins healthy?
Fortunately, there are things we can do to keep these important veins healthy and reduce the risk of blood clots.- Don't stay in the same position for too long. Reduce standing and sitting for too long. This increases the risk of blood clots. Get up and walk around and move around at least once an hour if possible. Try to be physically active most days of the week.
- Eat a heart-healthy diet. Eat nutritious foods that are low in fat and cholesterol. Maintain a healthy weight.
- Manage stress. Relax your mind with things like meditation or going for a walk with a friend.
- Control diseases that damage blood vessels. If you have conditions like `Diabetes Mellitus`, high blood pressure, and high cholesterol levels, control them well according to medical advice.
- Quit smoking and tobacco products completely. Tobacco use damages both arteries and veins.
- Wear compression stockings if your doctor recommends it. These help prevent blood from pooling in your legs and forming blood clots.
When should you see a doctor?
If you have one or more of the symptoms listed below, please see a doctor immediately. These can sometimes be signs of a serious condition.
- Severe, unexplained pain in the chest, shoulders, back, or jaw.
- If you are coughing up blood .
- If you have difficulty walking, or if you experience pain while walking or sleeping.
- If you experience dizziness or fainting (syncope).
- If there is swelling ('Edema') or discoloration in the legs.
- If you sweat excessively.
- If the heartbeat is fast.
- If you have non-healing ulcers on your legs or feet.
- If the skin becomes pale, cold, and takes on a bluish color.
- If you have difficulty breathing or wheezing.
Take-Home Message
The `External Iliac Veins` are a system of veins that carry oxygen-poor blood from the lower parts of our body back to the heart. They join with the `Femoral Veins` and `Internal Iliac Veins` to form the `Inferior Vena Cava`, the largest vein in our body.
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Blood clots in the deep veins of the legs (DVT) and those clots traveling to the lungs (Pulmonary Embolism) can lead to dangerous conditions. Therefore, it is very important for your health to seek medical attention immediately if you experience symptoms related to veins. Following a healthy lifestyle can also protect this venous system.
Remember, it's important to take care of your body and be aware of any symptoms. Being aware of your health is the best way to live a healthy life.
` External Iliac Vein, Internal Iliac Vein, Pelvis, Veins, Blood Circulation, DVT, Pulmonary Embolism, Blood Clots, Leg Swelling, Vein Disease
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