External pudendal veins
Venae pudendales externae
Definition
The external pudendal veins are part of the superficial venous system and are primarily involved in the venous drainage of the external genitalia and the lower abdominal wall.
The external pudendal veins are tributaries of the great saphenous vein at the saphenofemoral junction.
The group of external pudendal veins can be divided into superficial and deep veins:
The superficial external pudendal vein typically drains the skin and subcutaneous tissues of the lower abdomen and external genitalia with:
The deep external pudendal vein drains deeper structures in the same region.
Anatomical variations in the external pudendal veins are common. For instance, the deep external pudendal vein often drains directly into the common femoral vein in a significant number of cases.
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