Definition & Meaning of "gonadal vein"

What is "gonadal vein"?

The gonadal vein refers to a pair of veins, one on each side of the body, that are responsible for draining deoxygenated blood from the gonads, which include the testes in males and the ovaries in females. These veins travel alongside the corresponding arteries, known as the testicular artery or ovarian artery, and eventually join the inferior vena cava. The gonadal veins are essential for maintaining proper blood flow and oxygenation in the reproductive system.