Small saphenous vein
| Vein: Small saphenous vein | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Small saphenous vein and its tributaries. (Small saphenous vein labeled vertically at center.) | |
| Latin | vena saphena parva |
| Gray's | p.670 |
| Source | dorsal venous arch of the foot |
| Drains to | popliteal vein |
The small saphenous vein (also short saphenous vein), is a relatively large superficial vein of the posterior leg.
Path
The origin of the small saphenous vein, (SSV) is where the dorsal vein from the fifth digit (smallest toe) merges with the dorsal venous arch of the foot, which attaches to the great saphenous vein (GSV). It is a superficial vein being subcutaneous, (just under the skin).
From its origin, it courses around the lateral aspect of the foot (inferior and posterior to the lateral malleolus) and runs along the posterior aspect of the leg (with the sural nerve), where it passes between the heads of the gastrocnemius muscle. This vein presents a number of different draining points:
Usually it drains into the popliteal vein, at or above the level of the knee joint.
Sometimes the SSV joins the common gastrocnemius vein before draining in the popliteal vein.
Sometimes it doesn't make contact with the popliteal vein but goes up to drain in the GSV at a variable level.
Instead of draining in the popliteal vein it can merge with the Giacomini vein and drain in the GSV at the superior 1/3 of the thigh.[1]
See also
Additional images
-
Cross-section through middle of leg.
-
Nerves of the dorsum of the foot.
External links
- Gray's s157 - "The Arteries of the Lower Extremity"
- Small saphenous vein at Answers.com - Stedman's medical dictionary
- Illustration at pdn.cam.ac.uk
- Mnemonic medicalmnemonics.com 278
References
| |||||||||||||||||||||||