Great saphenous vein

Location

The great saphenous vein is a large superficial vein of the lower limb. It drains into the femoral vein, which is the medial most structure in the femoral triangle. The lateral border of the femoral triangle is formed by the medial border of sartorius, the medial border of the femoral triangle is formed by the medial border of adductor longus and the inguinal ligament forms the base of the triangle. The point at which it drains into the femoral vein is known as the saphenofemoral junction.

Course

The great saphenous vein originates from the dorsal vein of the hallux, which merges with the dorsal venous arch of the foot. The vein then runs anterior to the medial malleolus (a relatively easy area to locate the vein). 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. In the thigh it is accompanied by branches of the medial femoral cutaneous nerves , and at the knee, in the leg and the foot the vein is closely related to the saphenous artery (a branch of the descending genicular artery). The great saphenous vein then passes through an opening in the fascia lata i.e. the saphenous opening. It continues as an arch to join the femoral vein within the medial region of the femoral triangle.

Explore our study unit to learn everything about the veins of the lower extremity.

Femoral triangle

The great saphenous vein is the medial most structure in the femoral triangle. Lateral to it, is a space that allows for expansion of the vein during increases venous return. Situated on the lateral side of the great saphenous vein is the femoral artery. The most lateral structure is the femoral nerve (posterior divisions of the anterior rami of spinal nerves L2-L4), which runs close to the anterior superior iliac spine, and runs beneath the inguinal ligament. There are numerous valves in this vein, that ensure blood flows in the correct direction.

There is a valve covering the saphenofemoral junction (where the saphenous vein joins the femoral vein), and separates the superficial and deep venous system.

The great saphenous vein receives smaller veins from the ankle and foot. These include the medial marginal vein (drains the sole of the foot), the small saphenous vein (it has numerous connections with its smaller counterpart in the lower region of the leg). In leg it is connected to short saphenous vein and with deep veins through perforating veins. Close to knee it receives three large tributaries, in thigh it receives many tributaries that are posteromedial i.e accessory saphenous vein, anterolateral i.e anterior femoral cutaneous vein and peri-inguinal which are superficial epigastric, superficial circumflex iliac and superficial external pudendal veins. It also receives connecting branches from the popliteal vein via another perforator. As the vein ascends in the thigh it receives branches from the common femoral vein.

This quiz challenges you on the main veins of the lower limb.

Veins can be very tricky to identify. Why not start practicing now by making your own structure identification flashcards?