The obturator vein accompanies the obturator artery through the obturator canal, draining the adductor compartment of the thigh and the hip joint. It drains into the internal iliac vein and communicates with the femoral and accessory obturator veins. An accessory obturator vein connecting the obturator vein to the inferior epigastric vein (the corona mortis venous equivalent) is present in approximately 50% of individuals.
| Origin | Venous tributaries in the adductor compartment of the thigh |
|---|---|
| Course | Enters the pelvis through the obturator canal and runs backward on the lateral pelvic wall below the obturator artery to drain into the internal iliac vein |
| Branches |
|
The obturator vein and its variable anastomoses with the inferior epigastric vessels (corona mortis, the crown of death) are the primary vascular hazard in direct inguinal and femoral hernia repair. The corona mortis venous anastomosis crosses the superior pubic ramus in the operative field of Cooper ligament repair and laparoscopic herniorrhaphy; inadvertent division causes difficult haemorrhage in the space of Retzius. Systematic identification and ligation of corona mortis vessels before mesh placement reduces this risk.
An accessory obturator vein anastomosing with the inferior epigastric vein across the superior pubic ramus, known as the corona mortis, is injured during pelvic fracture stabilisation and laparoscopic inguinal hernia repair, causing profuse venous haemorrhage in the retropubic space requiring immediate suture control.
This website uses cookies to enhance your experience. Some are essential for site functionality, while others help us analyze and improve your usage experience. Please review your options and make your choice.
If you are under 16 years old, please ensure that you have received consent from your parent or guardian for any non-essential cookies.
Your privacy is important to us. You can adjust your cookie settings at any time. For more information about how we use data, please read our privacy policy. You may change your preferences at any time by clicking on the settings button below.
Note that if you choose to disable some types of cookies, it may impact your experience of the site and the services we are able to offer.
Some required resources have been blocked, which can affect third-party services and may cause the site to not function properly.
This website uses cookies to enhance your browsing experience and ensure the site functions properly. By continuing to use this site, you acknowledge and accept our use of cookies.
