Quick Facts
Origin: Gluteal region.
Course: Passes though the greater sciatic foramen to drain into the internal iliac vein.
Tributaries: Lateral sacral veins.
Drainage: Muscles of the buttocks, upper thigh, and hip bones.
Related parts of the anatomy
Origin
Deep and superficial ramifications of the superior gluteal vein unite in the gluteal region to form the superior gluteal vein.
Course
From its origin, the superior gluteal vein enters the pelvis via the greater sciatic foramen, superior to piriformis muscles. They drain into the internal iliac vein.
Tributaries
The superior gluteal veins may receive tributes from the lateral sacral veins. It also forms anastomoses with the lateral circumflex femoral vein.
Structures Drained
The superior gluteal vein drains gluteus minimums, gluteus maximus, gluteus minimus, and tensor fasciae latae muscles, the hip joint, and ilium.
