Femoral vein
2072649
225536454
2008-07-14T05:17:17Z
Arcadian
104523
Reverted edits by [[Special:Contributions/147.140.233.16|147.140.233.16]] ([[User talk:147.140.233.16|talk]]) to last version by Thijs!bot
{{Infobox Vein |
Name = Femoral vein |
Latin = vena femoralis |
GraySubject = 173 |
GrayPage = 672 |
Image = Femoral_triangle.gif |
Caption = Drawing of the left [[femoral triangle]] - shows superior portion of the '''femoral vein'''. |
Image2 = Gray584.png |
Caption2 = The femoral vein and its tributaries. |
DrainsFrom = |
Source = [[popliteal vein|popliteal]], [[profunda femoris vein|profunda femoris]], [[great saphenous vein|great saphenous]] |
DrainsTo = [[external iliac vein]] |
Artery = [[femoral artery]] |
MeshName = Femoral+Vein |
MeshNumber = A07.231.908.314 |
DorlandsPre = v_05 |
DorlandsSuf = 12850355 |
}}
In the [[human body]], the femoral vein is a blood vessel that accompanies the [[femoral artery|femoral]] [[artery]] in the [[femoral sheath]]. It begins at the [[adductor canal]] (also known as ''[[Hunter's canal]]'') and is a continuation of the [[popliteal vein]]. It ends at the inferior margin of the [[inguinal ligament]], where it becomes the [[external iliac vein]].
==Drainage==
Several large [[vein]]s drain into the femoral vein:
* [[popliteal vein]]
* [[profunda femoris vein]]
* [[great saphenous vein]]
==Clinical significance==
Occlusion of the femoral vein can be life-threatening.<ref name=bundens_7563535>Bundens WP, Bergan JJ, Halasz NA, Murray J, Drehobl M. The superficial femoral vein. A potentially lethal misnomer. JAMA. 1995 Oct 25;274(16):1296-8. PMID 7563535.</ref>
The practice of delivering [[recreational drug use|recreational drugs]] [[intravenous]]ly using the femoral vein is relatively common amongst [[injecting drug users]] (IDUs).<ref>Maliphant J, Scott J. Use of the femoral vein ('groin injecting') by a sample of needle exchange clients in Bristol, UK. Harm Reduction Journal 2005, 2:6. [http://www.harmreductionjournal.com/content/2/1/6 Free Full Text].</ref>
==Use of the term ''superficial femoral vein''==
The term ''superficial femoral vein'' is ''not'' recognized as a legitimate anatomic term.<ref name=hammond_14595157>Hammond I. The superficial femoral vein. Radiology. 2003 Nov;229(2):604; discussion 604-6. PMID 14595157. [http://radiology.rsnajnls.org/cgi/content/full/229/2/604 Full Text].</ref>
However, some specialist physicians (e.g. [[radiologist]]s, and [[orthopaedic]]/[[vascular surgeon]]s) use the term ''superficial femoral vein'' for the distal part of the ''femoral vein'' to:
# differentiate the femoral vein segments before and after the ''profunda femoris vein'' joins with it, and
# differentiate the distal segment of the femoral vein from the ''deep femoral vein'' ([[profunda femoris vein]]), which is paired with the [[profunda femoris artery]].
Usage of this term is discouraged by many [[physician]]s and especially amongst medical students because it leads to confusion among general medical practitioners.<ref name=bundens_7563535/>
The femoral vein is considered a [[deep vein]], unlike the adjective ''superficial'' suggests and has led some physicians to falsely conclude it is a [[superficial vein]], which has resulted in patients (with [[deep vein thrombosis]]) being denied efficacious [[thrombolytic therapy]].<ref name=hammond_14595157/>
==Additional images==
<gallery>
Image:Gray344.png|Structures surrounding right hip-joint.
Image:Gray432 color.png|Cross-section through the middle of the thigh.
Image:Gray545.png|Femoral sheath laid open to show its three compartments.
Image:Gray550.png|The femoral artery.
Image:Gray1146.png|The spermatic cord in the inguinal canal.
</gallery>
==References==
{{reflist}}
==External links==
* {{GraySubject|157}} - "The Arteries of the Lower Extremity"
* {{SUNYAnatomyFigs|12|05|01}} - "Veins of the lower extremity shown in association with major landmarks."
* {{ViennaCrossSection|pelvis/pelvis-e12-15}}
{{VeinsExtremities}}
[[Category:Pelvic limb anatomy]]
[[Category:Veins]]
[[de:Vena femoralis]]
[[fr:Veine fémorale]]
[[pt:Veia femoral]]
[[fi:Reisilaskimo]]