Definition of Femoral vein

Femoral vein: The largest vein in the groin. The femoral vein is a continuation of the popliteal vein. It passes, together with the femoral artery, beneath the inguinal ligament to enter the abdomen and form the external iliac vein. The femoral vein is one portion of the venous system that carries blood from the lower extremity back to the heart.

The arterial counterpart of the femoral vein is the femoral artery. It takes essentially the same course as the femoral vein but transports blood in the opposite direction. The blood in the femoral artery comes from the heart via the aorta and the external iliac artery. The femoral artery permits the blood continue descending toward the leg.