Femoral vein is the continuation of the popliteal vein. It begins at the level of the knee, at the adductor canal (Hunter’s canal). It runs upwards in close relation to the femoral artery and ends at the lower border of the inguinal ligament to become the external iliac vein.

BRANCHES/DRAINAGE

Many of the leg veins take their deoxygenated blood and drain into femoral vein:

• Popliteal vein

• Profunda femoris vein

• Great saphenous vein

CLINICAL IMPORTANCE

Injecting drug users prefer the femoral vein for injecting recreational drugs into the body intravenously.

As femoral vein is an important vein of the leg, its occlusion can be life-threatening.