Ovarian Vein: Function, Drainage & Anatomy

Anatomy & Drainage

Vein	Drains Into	Tributaries
Right Ovarian Vein	Inferior Vena Cava (IVC)	Ovary, (sometimes ureteric, tubal)
Left Ovarian Vein	Left Renal Vein	Ovary, uterine tube, uterine plexus, vaginal plexus

Key Points

• Paired veins; valves present (incompetent in pelvic congestion syndrome).
• Left vein longer; more prone to thrombosis (May-Thurner, pregnancy, malignancy).
• Gonadal veins = testicular veins in males (drain similarly).
• Ovarian vein syndrome: right vein compresses ureter → flank pain, hydronephrosis.
• Pelvic congestion syndrome: ovarian vein reflux → chronic pelvic pain, varices; treated with embolization.