Great saphenous vein
Encyclopedia
The great saphenous vein (GSV), also long saphenous vein, is the large (subcutaneous) superficial vein
of the leg
and thigh
.
The terms "safaina" (Greek, meaning "manifest," "to be clearly seen") and "el safin" (Arabic, meaning "hidden/concealed") have both been claimed as the origin for the word "saphenous."
.
After passing anterior to the medial malleolus (where it often can be visualized and palpated
), it runs up the medial
side of the leg.
At the knee, it runs over the posterior border of the medial epicondyle of the femur
bone.
The great saphenous vein then courses medially to lie on the anterior surface of the thigh before entering an opening in the fascia lata
called the saphenous opening
.
It joins with the femoral vein
in the region of the femoral triangle
at the saphenofemoral junction.
; in the lower leg it anastomoses freely with the small saphenous vein
, communicates with the anterior
and posterior tibial
veins and receives many cutaneous veins; in the thigh it communicates with the femoral vein
and receives numerous tributaries; those from the medial and posterior parts of the thigh
frequently unite to form a large accessory saphenous vein which joins the main vein at a variable level.
Near the fossa ovalis
it is joined by the superficial epigastric
, superficial iliac circumflex, and superficial external pudendal
veins.
The thoracoepigastric vein
runs along the lateral aspect of the trunk between the superficial epigastric vein
below and the lateral thoracic vein
above and establishes an important communication between the femoral vein
and the axillary vein
.
in coronary artery bypass operation
s, when arterial grafts are not available or many grafts are required, such as in a triple bypass or quadruple bypass.
The great saphenous vein is the conduit of choice for vascular surgeons, when available, for doing peripheral arterial bypass operations [ see vascular bypass ] because it has superior long-term patency compared to synthetic grafts (PTFE, PETE
(Dacron)), human umbilical vein graft
s or biosynthetic grafts [Omniflow]. Often, it is used in situ
(in place), after tying off smaller tributaries and stripping the valves with a device called LeMaitre's valvulotome.
The saphenous nerve
is a branch of the femoral nerve
that runs with the great saphenous vein and is often damaged in surgeries that make use of the similarly named vein.
may be necessary.
of the great saphenous vein is relatively common, but in isolation typically not life threatening.
. - "The veins of the lower extremity, abdomen, and pelvis" - Gray's Anatomy
.
Superficial vein
Superficial vein is a term used to describe a vein that is close to the surface of the body. It is used to differentiate veins that are close to the surface from veins that are far from the surface, known as deep veins....
of the leg
Leg
Łęg may refer to the following places in Poland:*A former name for the town of Ełk *Part of the Czyżyny district of Kraków*Łęg, Pleszew County in Greater Poland Voivodeship...
and thigh
Thigh
In humans the thigh is the area between the pelvis and the knee. Anatomically, it is part of the lower limb.The single bone in the thigh is called the femur...
.
The terms "safaina" (Greek, meaning "manifest," "to be clearly seen") and "el safin" (Arabic, meaning "hidden/concealed") have both been claimed as the origin for the word "saphenous."
Path
The GSV originates from where the dorsal vein of the first digit (the large toe) merges with the dorsal venous arch of the footDorsal venous arch of the foot
The dorsal venous arch of the foot is a superficial vein that connects the small saphenous vein and the great saphenous vein. Anatomically, it is defined by where the dorsal veins of the first and fifth digit, respectively, meet the great saphenous vein and small saphenous vein.It is usually...
.
After passing anterior to the medial malleolus (where it often can be visualized and palpated
Palpation
Palpation is used as part of a physical examination in which an object is felt to determine its size, shape, firmness, or location...
), it runs up the medial
Medial
- Medial magmas :In abstract algebra, a medial magma is a set with a binary operation which satisfies the identity \cdot = \cdot , or more simply, xy\cdot uv = xu\cdot yv...
side of the leg.
At the knee, it runs over the posterior border of the medial epicondyle of the femur
Femur
The femur , or thigh bone, is the most proximal bone of the leg in tetrapod vertebrates capable of walking or jumping, such as most land mammals, birds, many reptiles such as lizards, and amphibians such as frogs. In vertebrates with four legs such as dogs and horses, the femur is found only in...
bone.
The great saphenous vein then courses medially to lie on the anterior surface of the thigh before entering an opening in the fascia lata
Fascia lata
-Thickness:It is an investment for the whole of the thigh, but varies in thickness in different parts.Thus, it is thicker in the upper and lateral part of the thigh, where it receives a fibrous expansion from the Glutæus maximus, and where the Tensor fasciæ latæ is inserted between its layers; it...
called the saphenous opening
Saphenous opening
The saphenous opening is an oval opening in the superomedial part of the fascia lata, lies 3–4 cm inferolateral to the pubic tubercle. It is about 3 cm long and 1.5 cm wide.-Description:...
.
It joins with the femoral vein
Femoral vein
In the human body, the femoral vein is a blood vessel that accompanies the femoral artery in the femoral sheath. It begins at the adductor canal and is a continuation of the popliteal vein...
in the region of the femoral triangle
Femoral triangle
The femoral triangle is an anatomical region of the upper inner human thigh.-Boundaries:It is bounded by:* the inguinal ligament* the medial border of the adductor longus muscle...
at the saphenofemoral junction.
Tributaries
At the ankle it receives branches from the sole of the foot through the medial marginal veinMedial marginal vein
The Medial marginal vein is a continuation of the Dorsal venous arch of the foot and is the origin of the long saphenous vein....
; in the lower leg it anastomoses freely with the small saphenous vein
Small saphenous vein
The small saphenous vein , is a relatively large vein of the superficial posterior leg.-Path:Its origin is where the dorsal vein from the fifth digit merges with the dorsal venous arch of the foot, which attaches to the great saphenous vein...
, communicates with the anterior
Anterior tibial vein
In human anatomy, the anterior tibial vein of the lower limb carries blood from the anterior compartment of the leg to the popliteal vein which is forms when it joins with the posterior tibial vein....
and posterior tibial
Posterior tibial vein
In anatomy, the posterior tibial vein of the lower limb carries blood from the posterior compartment and plantar surface of the foot to the popliteal vein which it forms when it joins with the anterior tibial vein....
veins and receives many cutaneous veins; in the thigh it communicates with the femoral vein
Femoral vein
In the human body, the femoral vein is a blood vessel that accompanies the femoral artery in the femoral sheath. It begins at the adductor canal and is a continuation of the popliteal vein...
and receives numerous tributaries; those from the medial and posterior parts of the thigh
Thigh
In humans the thigh is the area between the pelvis and the knee. Anatomically, it is part of the lower limb.The single bone in the thigh is called the femur...
frequently unite to form a large accessory saphenous vein which joins the main vein at a variable level.
Near the fossa ovalis
Saphenous opening
The saphenous opening is an oval opening in the superomedial part of the fascia lata, lies 3–4 cm inferolateral to the pubic tubercle. It is about 3 cm long and 1.5 cm wide.-Description:...
it is joined by the superficial epigastric
Superficial epigastric vein
The superficial epigastric vein is a vein which travels with the superficial epigastric artery. It joins the accessory saphenous vein near the fossa ovalis.-External links: - "Anterior Abdominal Wall: Blood Vessels in the Superficial Fascia"...
, superficial iliac circumflex, and superficial external pudendal
External pudendal vein
The external pudendal veins are veins of the pelvis which drain into the great saphenous vein....
veins.
The thoracoepigastric vein
Thoracoepigastric vein
A vein, named the thoracoepigastric, runs along the lateral aspect of the trunk between the superficial epigastric vein below and the lateral thoracic vein above and establishes an important communication between the femoral vein and axillary vein. This is an especially important vein when the...
runs along the lateral aspect of the trunk between the superficial epigastric vein
Superficial epigastric vein
The superficial epigastric vein is a vein which travels with the superficial epigastric artery. It joins the accessory saphenous vein near the fossa ovalis.-External links: - "Anterior Abdominal Wall: Blood Vessels in the Superficial Fascia"...
below and the lateral thoracic vein
Lateral thoracic vein
The lateral thoracic vein is a tributary of the axillary vein. It runs with the lateral thoracic artery and drains the Serratus anterior muscle and the Pectoralis major muscle....
above and establishes an important communication between the femoral vein
Femoral vein
In the human body, the femoral vein is a blood vessel that accompanies the femoral artery in the femoral sheath. It begins at the adductor canal and is a continuation of the popliteal vein...
and the axillary vein
Axillary vein
In human anatomy, the axillary vein is a large blood vessel that conveys blood from the lateral aspect of the thorax, axilla and upper limb toward the heart...
.
Use in cardiovascular procedures
The vein is often removed by vascular surgeons and used for autotransplantationAutotransplantation
Autotransplantation is the transplantation of organs, tissues or even proteins from one part of the body to another in the same individual. Tissue transplanted by such "autologous" procedure is referred to as an autograft or autotransplant. It is contrasted with xenotransplantation and...
in coronary artery bypass operation
Coronary artery bypass surgery
Coronary artery bypass surgery, also coronary artery bypass graft surgery, and colloquially heart bypass or bypass surgery is a surgical procedure performed to relieve angina and reduce the risk of death from coronary artery disease...
s, when arterial grafts are not available or many grafts are required, such as in a triple bypass or quadruple bypass.
The great saphenous vein is the conduit of choice for vascular surgeons, when available, for doing peripheral arterial bypass operations [ see vascular bypass ] because it has superior long-term patency compared to synthetic grafts (PTFE, PETE
Pete
Pete is a diminutive from Peter. It may refer to:-Athletics:* The Pete, Petersen Events Center, athletics complex and basketball arena on the campus of the University of Pittsburgh* Pete the Penguin, mascot of Youngstown State University...
(Dacron)), human umbilical vein graft
Human umbilical vein graft
A human umbilical vein graft is a specially prepared human umbilical vein that is used as a vascular graft. HUVGs have found use in arteriovenous fistulae , as an interposition graft between the subclavian artery and pulmonary artery , and for peripheral bypass graft surgery vascular bypass,...
s or biosynthetic grafts [Omniflow]. Often, it is used in situ
In situ
In situ is a Latin phrase which translated literally as 'In position'. It is used in many different contexts.-Aerospace:In the aerospace industry, equipment on board aircraft must be tested in situ, or in place, to confirm everything functions properly as a system. Individually, each piece may...
(in place), after tying off smaller tributaries and stripping the valves with a device called LeMaitre's valvulotome.
The saphenous nerve
Saphenous nerve
The saphenous nerve is the largest cutaneous branch of the femoral nerve.-Path:It approaches the femoral artery where this vessel passes beneath the sartorius, and lies in front of the artery, behind the aponeurotic covering of the adductor canal, as far as the opening in the lower part of the...
is a branch of the femoral nerve
Femoral nerve
The femoral nerve, the largest branch of the lumbar plexus, arises from the dorsal divisions of the ventral rami of the second, third, and fourth lumbar nerves...
that runs with the great saphenous vein and is often damaged in surgeries that make use of the similarly named vein.
Use in emergency medicine
When emergency resuscitation with fluids is necessary, and standard intravenous access can not achieved due to venous collapse, saphenous vein cutdownVenous cutdown
Venous cutdown is an emergency procedure in which the vein is exposed surgically and then a cannula is inserted into the vein under direct vision. It is used to get vascular access in trauma and hypovolemic shock patients when peripheral cannulation is difficult or impossible. The saphenous vein is...
may be necessary.
Pathology of the saphenous vein
PathologyPathology
Pathology is the precise study and diagnosis of disease. The word pathology is from Ancient Greek , pathos, "feeling, suffering"; and , -logia, "the study of". Pathologization, to pathologize, refers to the process of defining a condition or behavior as pathological, e.g. pathological gambling....
of the great saphenous vein is relatively common, but in isolation typically not life threatening.
- Varicose veins: The great saphenous vein, like other superficial veinSuperficial veinSuperficial vein is a term used to describe a vein that is close to the surface of the body. It is used to differentiate veins that are close to the surface from veins that are far from the surface, known as deep veins....
s, can develop varices, which are generally considered to be unsightly. Various treatment options exist for treating varicose veins. Varicose veins are not life threatening.
- PhlebitisPhlebitisPhlebitis is an inflammation of a vein, usually in the legs.When phlebitis is associated with the formation of blood clots , usually in the deep veins of the legs, the condition is called thrombophlebitis...
: The great saphenous vein can become infectedInfectionAn infection is the colonization of a host organism by parasite species. Infecting parasites seek to use the host's resources to reproduce, often resulting in disease...
.
- ThrombophlebitisThrombophlebitisThrombophlebitis is phlebitis related to a thrombus . When it occurs repeatedly in different locations, it is known as "Thrombophlebitis migrans" or "migrating thrombophlebitis".-Signs and symptoms:...
: The great saphenous vein can thromboseThrombosisThrombosis is the formation of a blood clot inside a blood vessel, obstructing the flow of blood through the circulatory system. When a blood vessel is injured, the body uses platelets and fibrin to form a blood clot to prevent blood loss...
and become infected. Thrombophlebitis of the great saphenous vein is not life threatening in isolation; however, it may be associated with deep vein thrombosisDeep vein thrombosisDeep vein thrombosis is the formation of a blood clot in a deep vein. Deep vein thrombosis commonly affects the leg veins or the deep veins of the pelvis. Occasionally the veins of the arm are affected...
which can be and thus requires further investigation.
External links
- "The arteries of the lower extremity" - Gray's AnatomyGray's Anatomy
Gray's Anatomy is an English-language human anatomy textbook originally written by Henry Gray. The book is widely regarded as an extremely influential work on the subject, and has continued to be revised and republished from its initial publication in 1858 to the present day...
. - "The veins of the lower extremity, abdomen, and pelvis" - Gray's Anatomy
Gray's Anatomy
Gray's Anatomy is an English-language human anatomy textbook originally written by Henry Gray. The book is widely regarded as an extremely influential work on the subject, and has continued to be revised and republished from its initial publication in 1858 to the present day...
.
- Great saphenous vein - Stedman's medical dictionary.