Chap. 25.] Vena Cava, &c. 259 



takes its courfe upwards between the biceps and other 

 flexors of the leg, clofely accompanied by the crural 

 artery. When it has arrived oppofite the trochanter 

 minor it receives three confiderable veins, the circum- 

 flexa interna, externa, and profunda, which correfpond 

 with the arteries of the fame names. About an inch 

 below the ligament of Fallopius, it receives the vena 

 faphena major, the courfe of which has already been 

 defcribed. About this place it alfo receives the venae 

 pudicac externse. 



After paffing under the ligament of Fallopius, and 

 entering the pelvis, it changes its name to that of the 

 external iliac vein. It now receives the vena epigaf- 

 trica, which defcends towards it at the anterior part of 

 the abdomen, and other venous branches from the 

 adjacent parts. After having received the venous 

 branches which correfpond with the arterial branches 

 of the external iliac artery, the external iliac vein 

 unites with the trunk of the internal iliac, or hypo- 

 gaftric, vein, which returns the blood fent to the pelvis 

 by the artery of the fame name. Thefe two venous 

 trunks uniting, form the vena iliaca communis, and the 

 iliacas communes of both fides uniting, form the inferior 

 vena cava. This afcends on the vertebras but inclines 

 towards the right fide, whereas the aorta is placed to- 

 wards the left. It receives the venae lumbares, which 

 enter it behind in pairs. Higher up it is joined by 

 the emulgent veins from the kidneys, the vense capfu- 

 lares from the glandulac fuprarenales, and by the right 

 fpermatic vein. The left fpermatic vein commonly 

 goes into r he emulgent vein of the fame fide. Oppo- 

 fite the liver the vena cava receives the blood from the 

 diaphragm and pericardium. Hitherto, none of the 

 veins which return the blood fent to the abdominal vif- 

 cera by the cadiac and the two mefenteric arteries have 

 S 2 been 



