31. Know in outline the course of the veins of the lower limb (great saphenous and small saphenous veins)

Question 1

Name 2 superficial veins

Answer 1

Great saphenous vein
small saphenous vein

Question 2

Course of the great saphenous vein

Answer 2

The great saphenous vein originates from the dorsal vein of the hallux, and merges with the dorsal venous arch of the foot. The vein then runs anterior to the medial malleolus.

The vein ascends up the medial surface of the leg, and then runs posterior to the medial epicondyle of the femur. It then runs upward in the thigh and passes over the medial surface of the thigh.

The course ends in the upper thigh. That’s where the great saphenous vein empties into the femoral vein.

Question 3

Course of the small saphenous vein:

Answer 3

The small saphenous vein originates from the lateral end of the dorsal venous arch of the foot. The vein then runs posterior to the lateral malleolus.

The vein ascends along the posterior surface of the leg and passes between the two heads of gastrocnemius.

The small saphenous vein inserts into the popliteal vein, superior to the posterior condyles of the femur.

Question 4

Name 2 deep veins of the foot

Answer 4

Plantar veins
Dorsal veins

Question 5

Name 3 deep veins of the leg

Answer 5

Anterior tibial veins
Posterior tibial veins
Fibular veins

Question 6

Name 1 deep vein of the knee

Answer 6

Popliteal vein

Question 7

Name 1 deep vein of the thigh

Answer 7

Femoral vein and its tributaries

Question 8

Function of the popliteal vein

Answer 8

Drains blood away from the leg into the femoral vein
The femoral vein then drains blood into the inferior vena cava, to return to the right atrium of the heart

Question 9

How is the popliteal vein formed?

Answer 9

By the convergence of the deep veins in the leg

Question 10

Which 3 veins converge to form the popliteal vein?

Answer 10

Posterior tibial vein
Anterior tibial vein
Common fibular vein

Question 11

How does the popliteal vein receive blood?

Answer 11

It receives venous blood from the superficial vein of the lateral leg (short saphenous vein)

The short saphenous vein penetrates the deep fascia of the leg and enters the popliteal fossa by passing through the two heads of the gastrocnemius

Question 12

Popliteal vein pathway:

Answer 12

The popliteal vein ascends and passes through the adductor hiatus
This becomes a femoral vein, which passes superiorly and runs in the femoral triangle (medial to the femoral artery) which is medial to the femoral nerve

Question 13

Information about the femoral nerve:

Answer 13

The femoral nerve runs underneath the inguinal ligament and provides motor innervation to the anterior compartment of the thigh

Question 14

Where does the femoral vein drain from?

Answer 14

Popliteal vein

Question 15

Where does the femoral vein drain to?

Answer 15

External iliac vein

Question 16

Tributaries of the femoral vein:

Answer 16

Deep femoral vein
Great saphenous vein
Lateral circumflex femoral veins
Medial circumflex femoral vein

Question 17

Drainage area of the femoral vein:

Answer 17

Lower limb