common iliac vein

Introduction

Formed by the merging of the external & internal iliac veins on both sides at the brim of the pelvis. It courses upward behind the internal iliac artery to the right side of the body of the 5th lumbar vertebra where the paired left & right common iliac veins join to form the inferior vena cava. The left common iliac vein may be subject to a pulsating compression by the right common iliac artery against the vertebral column.

More general terms

• vein

Additional terms

• iliac vein
• inferior vena cava (IVC)