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Veins of the lower limb

Long saphenous vein

  • A superficial vein (i.e. superficial to the deep fascia)
  • Continuation of the dorsal venous arch
  • Passes anterior to the medial malleolus
  • Drains into the femoral vein by passing through the saphenous opening of fascia lata
  • Accompanied by the saphenous nerve
  • Has numerous valves which prevent retrograde blood flow
  • Tributaries include:
    • Superficial epigastric vein
    • Superficial external pudendal
    • Superficial circumflex iliac vein
    • Communicating branches to small saphenous and deep veins

Short saphenous vein

  • A superficial vein (i.e. superficial to the deep fascia)
  • Arises from the lateral aspect of the dorsal venous arch
  • Passes posterior to the lateral malleolus
  • Ascends up in the back of leg
  • Accompanied by the sural nerve
  • Drains into the popliteal vein

Perforating veins

  • Connect the superficial great and small saphenous veins to deep veins
  • Have valves which allow blood to flow from superficial to deep veins only

Author:  Dr Shakeeb Khan

 

 
 

Last updated: 05 January 2008

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