Deep femoral vein
Vena profunda femoris
A large deep vein of the thigh that follows the deep femoral artery and empties into the femoral vein below the groin.
At a glance
- English
- Deep femoral vein
- Latin (TA2)
- Vena profunda femoris
- System
- Vein
- Region
- Lower limb
- Side
- Paired, left and right
About the deep femoral vein
The deep femoral vein, or profunda femoris vein, is the main vein draining the deep tissues of the thigh. It runs with the deep femoral artery, the largest branch of the femoral artery, lying in front of that artery for much of its course. Like the artery, it sits deep in the thigh, behind adductor longus and in front of adductor brevis and adductor magnus.
It is built up from the perforating veins, which accompany the perforating arteries through the adductor muscles from the back of the thigh. Along its course it also receives the medial and lateral circumflex femoral veins and veins from the adductors, vastus muscles and hamstrings. Its wide catchment means it delivers more blood than any other tributary of the femoral vein.
From the lower thigh it passes upwards and slightly medially. A few centimetres below the inguinal ligament, roughly level with the lowest part of the ischial tuberosity, it opens into the femoral vein from behind. The junction marks the boundary between the femoral vein below and the common femoral vein above. It is a useful collateral route, since it communicates with the popliteal vein below and with veins around the hip.
Because it is a large deep vein, it can be affected by deep vein thrombosis. A clot there or at its junction with the femoral vein may break off and travel to the lungs as a pulmonary embolus. Risk factors include immobility after surgery or illness, a sedentary life and inherited clotting disorders such as factor V Leiden. Ultrasound of the thigh veins usually examines this junction.
Course and drainage
- Begins at
- Formed in the back of the thigh from the perforating veins, with circumflex femoral and muscular tributaries.
- Drains into
- Opens into the femoral vein a few centimetres below the inguinal ligament, marking the start of the common femoral vein.
- Drains
- Drains the deep muscles of the thigh, including the adductors, hamstrings and vasti, and the region of the hip.
Anthromica
See the deep femoral vein where it really sits, with every layer of the body around it.
- Every layer, one body. Peel from muscle to bone, nerve, vessel and organ, and turn it any way.
- English and Latin. Every structure named the way your exam names it.
- Quiz until it sticks. Short drills on the structures you keep missing.
Free to start. No card.
