We all know that blood flows throughout our bodies. In addition to the arteries that carry clean, oxygen-rich blood from the heart to all parts of the body, there is also a network of veins called veins that carry the blood that has been used up and depleted of oxygen back to the heart. Today, we are talking about a major vein that performs such an important job, the one that runs through our pelvis. That is what we call the External Iliac Vein.
What is the External Iliac Vein in simple terms?
Simply put, the External Iliac Vein is a large blood vessel located in your pelvis. Your pelvis is the bony structure that connects your lower torso and legs.
The main function of this vein is to carry deoxygenated blood from the lower parts of your body, especially your legs, back to the heart. It is like an extension of the ``Femoral Vein``, a major vein in your thigh. This means that the deoxygenated blood from your legs passes through this ``Femoral Vein`` and joins the ``External Iliac Vein`` to travel upwards.
What is Deoxygenated Blood?
Our circulatory system is made up of arteries that carry oxygenated and nutrient-rich blood to all the organs and tissues of the body. After the body uses this oxygen, the remaining blood (deoxygenated blood) is returned to the heart by veins. The heart then pumps the blood to the lungs where it is re-oxygenated. Some people call this deoxygenated blood "blue blood," but it is actually a deep red color.
How does this vein work in our circulatory system?
Think of it like small streams joining together to form a big river. This `(External Iliac Vein)` is like that.
We have two ``External Iliac Veins'' on the right and left sides of our body. Each of these is joined by another vein that carries blood from the organs inside our pelvis (for example, the buttocks, genitals, and inner thighs). We call it ``Internal Iliac Vein''.
So, the External Iliac Vein and the Internal Iliac Vein join together to form a larger vein called the `(Common Iliac Vein)`. The two `(Common Iliac Vein)` formed in this way, on the right and left sides, come together near the fifth vertebra of our spine to form the `(Inferior Vena Cava)` , which is the largest vein in our body. That `(Inferior Vena Cava)` is what collects all the oxygen-poor blood from the lower part of the body and carries it to the heart.
In summary, blood from the legs flows from the ``Femoral Vein'' to the ``External Iliac Vein'', from there to the ``Common Iliac Vein'', and finally to the ``Inferior Vena Cava'', a large vein, before returning to the heart.
What medical conditions can affect this vein?
This ``(External Iliac Vein)`` and the veins connected to it can cause certain health problems. Some of these are quite serious. Therefore, it is very important to be aware of this.
| Condition | Simply an explanation |
|---|---|
| Deep Vein Thrombosis (DVT) | This is when a blood clot forms in a vein deep in our body, especially in the legs. This blood clot can block the flow of blood through the vein. Symptoms such as swelling and pain in the leg can occur. |
| Pulmonary Embolism | This is one of the most dangerous consequences of DVT. A piece of a blood clot that has formed in the leg can break off and travel with the blood to a vein in the lungs . This can cause difficulty breathing, chest pain, and even death. This is a condition that requires emergency medical treatment. |
| Chronic Venous Insufficiency (CVI) | Healthy veins have small valves that prevent blood from flowing backward. When these valves are damaged, blood starts flowing back down with gravity. This can cause blood to pool in the legs, causing swelling, pain, and discoloration . |
| May-Thurner Syndrome | This is a rare condition. What happens here is that the right Iliac Artery (artery) compresses the left Iliac Vein (vein). This compression obstructs the flow of blood from the left leg, increasing the risk of left leg swelling and DVT . |
So how do we keep these veins healthy?
There are some simple things you can do to keep your entire body's venous system, including your External Iliac Veins, healthy and reduce the risk of blood clots.
- Don't stay in the same position for too long: Sitting or standing for too long increases the risk of blood pooling and clotting. If possible, get up at least once an hour and walk around a bit , moving your legs.
- Exercise: Try to be physically active most days of the week. Exercises like walking, running, and swimming are great for blood circulation.
- Heart-healthy diet: Eat a balanced diet low in fat and cholesterol, and high in fruits and vegetables. Maintaining a healthy weight is also very important.
- Avoid smoking: Smoking is the biggest damage you can do to your blood vessels. If you smoke, get help to quit today.
- Control other diseases: If you have conditions like diabetes, high blood pressure, or high cholesterol, control them well according to your doctor's instructions.
- Compression Stockings: For some people, especially those at higher risk of DVT, your doctor may recommend wearing special socks called compression stockings. These help prevent blood from pooling in your legs.
What symptoms should prompt you to see a doctor?
If you experience one or more of the following symptoms, don't ignore them. See your doctor as soon as possible. Some symptoms may require emergency treatment.
- Severe chest, shoulder, back, or jaw pain that occurs for no reason.
- Coughing up blood.
- Difficulty walking, leg pain while walking or sleeping.
- Dizziness or lightheadedness.
- Swelling in the legs (edema) or skin discoloration (blue/purple).
- Sudden excessive sweating.
- Heart rate increases.
- Non-healing wounds on the leg or foot.
- Pale, cold, or bluish skin.
- Sudden difficulty breathing.
It is very important to go to a hospital's Emergency Department (ETU) immediately , especially if you have severe symptoms such as sudden chest pain, difficulty breathing, and coughing up blood.
Take-Home Message
- The External Iliac Vein is a major blood vessel that carries oxygen-poor blood from our legs and pelvis to the heart.
- Blood clots (DVT) that form in these veins can be very dangerous. A piece of it can become lodged in the lungs (pulmonary embolism) and can even be life-threatening.
- A healthy lifestyle (good exercise, balanced diet, and avoiding smoking) can protect the health of these veins.
- Sudden chest pain, difficulty breathing, or sudden swelling and pain in a leg are warning signs that require immediate medical attention.
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