Femoral vein

Last revised by Craig Hacking ◉ on 20 Dec 2021

Citation, DOI, disclosures and article data

Citation:

b a, Hacking C, Bell D, et al. Femoral vein. Reference article, Radiopaedia.org (Accessed on 24 Mar 2025) https://doi.org/10.53347/rID-45180

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.53347/rID-45180

Permalink:

https://radiopaedia.org/articles/45180?embed_domain=audioexotica.com%25252Fplacing-sounds-atmos-mix

rID:

45180

Article created:

17 May 2016, a b

Disclosures:

At the time the article was created a b had no recorded disclosures.

View a b's current disclosures

Last revised:

20 Dec 2021, Craig Hacking ◉

Disclosures:

At the time the article was last revised Craig Hacking had no recorded disclosures.

View Craig Hacking's current disclosures

Revisions:

23 times, by 9 contributors - see full revision history and disclosures

Systems:

Vascular, Musculoskeletal

Sections:

Anatomy

Synonyms:

SFV
Superficial femoral vein
Femoral vein (FV)
Superficial femoral vein (SFV)
Superficial femoral veins (SFVs)
Femoral veins (FVs)

The femoral vein is the main deep vein of the thigh and accompanies the superficial femoral artery and common femoral artery.

Terminology

The term "superficial femoral vein" or its abbreviation, "SFV" should not be used as it is a misnomer (i.e. it is not a superficial vein), and can be especially confusing in the setting of deep vein thrombosis. This is formally stated in the Terminologia Anatomica. Interestingly, the terms "common femoral artery" and "superficial femoral artery" are also no longer part of the Terminologia Anatomica, although remain in widespread clinicoradiological use.

"Common femoral vein" is not listed in Terminologia Anatomica, however, it is in common use and is an internationally accepted term ⁶.

Gross anatomy

Origin and course

The femoral vein forms as the continuation of the popliteal vein at the adductor opening. Proximal to the confluence with the deep femoral vein, the femoral vein is commonly known as the common femoral vein. It becomes the external iliac vein as it ascends posterior to the inguinal ligament.

In the distal adductor canal, the vein is posterolateral to the superficial femoral artery. Proximally in the canal, the vein lies posterior to the artery in the distal femoral triangle and medial to the artery at the base of the triangle.

In the upper thigh, the vein is between the common femoral artery and femoral canal and therefore occupies the intermediate/middle compartment of the femoral sheath.

Tributaries

numerous muscular tributaries
profunda femoris vein joins the femoral vein posteriorly 4-12 cm distal to the inguinal ligament
the great saphenous vein enters anteriorly or anteromedially
lateral and medial circumflex femoral veins are usually tributaries of the femoral vein

References

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Femoral vein