Definition

1. Noun:
   • A blood vessel carrying deoxygenated blood from the pelvis: The iliac vein is one of the major veins that collects blood from the pelvic region and lower limbs to return it to the heart.

Usage

• The term "iliac vein" is used in medical, anatomical, and biological contexts to specify a particular part of the human circulatory system. It is typically modified by "common," "external," or "internal" to indicate its specific segment.

Examples

• Noun:
  • The surgeon carefully avoided the iliac vein during the procedure.
  • A blood clot in the iliac vein can be a serious medical condition.

Advanced Usage

• "Common iliac vein": The vein formed by the union of the external and internal iliac veins, which then joins its counterpart from the other side to form the inferior vena cava.

  • The common iliac veins merge at the level of the fifth lumbar vertebra.

• "External iliac vein": The vein that primarily drains blood from the lower limb.

  • The femoral vein becomes the external iliac vein as it passes under the inguinal ligament.

• "Internal iliac vein": The vein that drains blood from the pelvic walls and viscera.

  • The internal iliac vein collects blood from the gluteal and pelvic organs.

Variants and Related Words

• Iliac (adj): Pertaining to the ilium or the nearby region of the pelvis.

  • The iliac artery runs parallel to the iliac vein.

• Venous (adj): Relating to veins.

  • The venous system includes the iliac veins.

Synonyms

• Pelvic vein: A general term for veins draining the pelvic area. (Note: "Iliac vein" is a more specific anatomical term.)

Related Terms (Not Phrasal Verbs)

• Inferior vena cava: The large vein into which the common iliac veins drain.
• Femoral vein: The vein in the thigh that connects to the external iliac vein.

Noun

1. one of three veins draining the pelvic area