Description
The superficial veins of the leg include the great and small saphenous veins, which are the continuation of the medial and lateral marginal veins in the foot, respectively, and the posterior arch vein.
The great saphenous vein is the longest vein in the body and travels superficially through the entire length of the lower limb. It ascends from the foot, anterior to the medial malleolus, and travels in an anteroposterior direction along the medial surface of the tibia to the knee joint. It runs posterior to the medial condyle of the femur and the medial border of the patella. From there it runs along the medial aspect of the superficial thigh to drain into the femoral vein, at the saphenous opening in the fascia latae. The great saphenous vein receives the posterior arch vein. This vein receives perforating branches from the posterior tibial veins, thus connecting the great saphenous vein to the deep venous system.
The small saphenous vein originates behind the lateral malleolus. It ascends in the subcutaneous tissue of the calf and drains into the popliteal vein. The posterior arch vein arises at the medial malleolus and ascends in the calf, parallel to the great saphenous vein into which it drains.
Related parts of the anatomy
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Vein
A venous sinus is a vein with a thin wall of endothelium that is devoid of smooth muscle to regulate its diameter.
