128 ANATOMY AND PHYSIOLOGY FOR NURSES 



The external iliac accompanies the artery of the same 

 name, and unites with the internal iliac to form the com- 

 mon iliac vein. 



The internal iliac drains that area of the pelvis which 

 is supplied by the artery of the same name, and unites 

 with the external iliac to form the common iliac vein. 



The uterine plexuses are situated about the vagina and 

 uterus, between the two layers of the broad ligaments. 

 The vesical and prostatic plexuses receive blood from 

 the genital organs and the bladder. 



Each common iliac vein is formed by the union of the 

 external and internal iliac veins of the corresponding side ; 

 at the origin of the right common iliac artery the two 

 common iliac veins unite and form the inferior vena 

 cava. 



The inferior vena cava, as has been said, is formed by 

 the union of the two common iliac veins ; it ascends along 

 the vertebral column to the right of the abdominal aorta, 

 passing through the diaphragm, and terminating in the 

 inferior and posterior part of the right auricle of the heart ; 

 this vein contains no valves. It receives, in its course, the 

 following veins: Lumbar, right spermatic, renal, supra- 

 renal, phrenic, and hepatic. 



The AzygOS Veins. These connect the superior 

 and the inferior vena cava, taking the place of these 

 vessels in that part of the chest occupied by the heart. 



The superior intercostal veins receive the veins 

 of the first and second intercostal spaces; the right ter- 

 minates in the vena azygos major, the left in the left in- 

 nominate. The vena azygos major drains the remaining 

 intercostal spaces on the right side and empties into the 

 superior vena cava. The remaining intercostal spaces on 

 the left are drained by the left upper and lower azygos 

 veins; both of these vessels frequently terminate in the 

 vena azygos major. 



