Lateral sacral vein

Looks like

Veins running on the front of the sacrum, beside the openings for the sacral nerves.

What it does

Drain the sacrum and the lower spinal veins into the internal iliac vein.

Keeping it well

Can bleed heavily in pelvic surgery on the sacrum or rectum, so surgeons keep to a safe plane.

Related conditions

• Chronic venous insufficiency
• Clotting disorders (thrombophilia & APS)
• Deep vein thrombosis
• Hernia (inguinal, hiatal, umbilical)
• Peritonitis
• Varicose veins