24.34:
Veins of Lower Limbs
Blood from the lower limbs is drained by both superficial and deep veins.
The deep veins, such as the posterior tibial vein, formed by the union of the medial and lateral plantar veins, ascends in the calf muscle and joins the fibular vein.
The anterior tibial vein, a continuation of the dorsalis pedis vein from the foot, unites at the knee with the posterior tibial vein forming the popliteal vein.
The popliteal vein transitions into the femoral vein, effectively draining the deep structures of the thigh.
The superficial veins include the small and great saphenous veins originating from the dorsal venous arch of the foot.
The small saphenous vein runs along the lateral aspect, draining the calf muscles and emptying into the popliteal vein.
The great saphenous vein travels along the leg to the thigh, emptying into the femoral vein.
Upon entering the pelvis, the femoral vein continues as the external iliac vein. This vein merges with the internal iliac vein, forming the common iliac vein that eventually feeds into the inferior vena cava.
24.34:
Veins of Lower Limbs
The human body consists of an intricate network of veins responsible for the crucial task of blood drainage from the lower limbs. These veins can be categorized into two main types: deep veins and superficial veins.
Formed by the union of the medial and lateral plantar veins, the posterior tibial vein, rising through the calf muscle, assimilates the fibular vein. The anterior tibial vein, a superior extension of the foot's dorsalis pedis vein, merges with the posterior tibial vein at the knee, giving rise to the popliteal vein situated at the back of the knee. As it leaves the knee, the popliteal vein transforms into the femoral vein, tasked with draining the deep structures of the thigh. Upon entering the pelvis, the femoral vein evolves into the external iliac vein. This vein then combines with the internal iliac vein to form the common iliac vein, following a distribution pattern akin to that of the internal iliac arteries.
Superficial veins, on the other hand, are closer to the body's surface. The great and small saphenous veins originate from the foot's dorsal venous arch. They frequently interconnect with each other and with the deep veins throughout their course. The great saphenous vein, the body's longest vein, runs superiorly along the leg's medial aspect to the thigh, where it drains into the femoral vein near the inguinal ligament. The small saphenous vein traverses the foot's lateral aspect and the calf muscles' deep fascia, ultimately draining into the popliteal vein at the knee.