It ends at the inferior margin of the inguinal ligament where it becomes the external iliac vein.

The femoral vein bears valves which are mostly bicuspid and whose number is variable between individuals and often between left and right leg.

However, it was thought to be due for inclusion in the next edition following consensus documents presented in 2001 at the 14th World Congress of the International Union of Phlebology, and in 2004 at the 21st World Congress of the International Union of Angiology.

[7][8] These consensus documents were brought about by the need felt for more clarity and expansion of terms.

[13] This has been widely recognised and adopted though the use of superficial femoral vein still persists in some sources.

[17][18] A previous usage of subsartorial artery was published to avoid the name superficial femoral vein from being used.

An iliofemoral DVT carries a greater risk of a pulmonary embolism developing.