Corpus: Femoral vein

The femoral vein is a large vein located in the thigh.

The femoral vein begins at the adductor hiatus as a direct continuation of the popliteal vein. It runs medial to the femoral artery through the adductor canal into the femoral triangle (trigonum femorale). It passes through the lacuna vasorum and ends at the lower edge of the inguinal ligament, where it transitions into the external iliac vein.

• Popliteal vein
• Deep femoral vein
• Great saphenous vein
• Lateral circumflex femoral vein
• Medial circumflex femoral vein

In clinical practice, the segment of the femoral vein distal to the junction with the deep femoral vein is often referred to as the "superficial femoral vein" to distinguish it more clearly from the deep femoral vein. This term can be confusing, as this section of the vessel is still a deep vein and does not run above the fascia.