ArticlesAnatomyLower limbNerves and vesselsSmall saphenous vein

ArticlesAnatomyLower limbNerves and vesselsSmall saphenous vein

Small saphenous vein

Author: Shahab Shahid, MBBS • Reviewer: Jerome Goffin
Last reviewed: August 02, 2023
Reading time: 3 minutes

The small (short or lesser) saphenous vein is a superficial vein of the leg. It drains the lateral surface of the leg, and runs up the posterior surface of the leg to drain into the popliteal vein. In this article we will discuss the anatomy and clinical relevance of the small saphenous vein.

Contents

Anatomy
1. Drainage
2. Course
Clinical points
Sources

+ Show all

Anatomy

Drainage

The dorsal venous arch of the foot connects the great saphenous vein, that drains the medial surface of the leg and thigh into the femoral vein at the saphenofemoral junction, to the small saphenous vein, which is a superficial vein.

Course

The small saphenous vein extends from the lateral marginal of the foot posterior to the lateral malleolus. It then ascends along the posterior surface of the leg and passes between the two heads of gastrocnemius. In many individuals, the small saphenous vein drains into the popliteal vein at the saphenopopliteal junction, whose location is variable but proximal to the tibial plateau in most cases. The small saphenous vein usually gives off a branch, the vein of Giacomini, which extends up the thigh and runs between the biceps femoris and semimembranosus muscles.

The small saphenous vein is accompanied by the sural nerve along its course in the posterior aspect of the leg. The sural nerve is a sensory cutaneous nerve that is formed by branches from the common fibular (anterir rami ofs spinal nerves L4-S2) and tibial (anterior rami of spinal nerves L4-S3) branches of the sciatic nerve (anterior rami of spinal nerves L4-S3).

Clinical points

Varicose veins: The small saphenous vein is a superficial vein. The deep veins (posterior tibial, anterior tibial, fibular, popliteal, femoral) are separated from the superficial veins by a series of valves. These valves ensure blood flows from the superficial system to the deep system and prevent backflow. Incompetence of these valves results in tortuous veins, called varicose veins. Signs associated with such veins include:

tenderness
pain, if chronic
brown discoloration of the distal leg, resulting in champagne bottle shaped legs

Varicose vein removal: If the presence of varicose veins is causing problems, endovenous thermal ablation of the veins can be performed. This procedure is sometimes associated with complications due to the proximity of adjacent structures such as the sural nerve. Possible indications include:

pain
venous ulcers
skin changes
cosmetic reasons

Sources

All content published on Kenhub is reviewed by medical and anatomy experts. The information we provide is grounded on academic literature and peer-reviewed research. Kenhub does not provide medical advice. You can learn more about our content creation and review standards by reading our content quality guidelines.

References:

Frank H.Netter MD: Atlas of Human Anatomy, 5th Edition, Elsevier Saunders.
Chummy S.Sinnatamby: Last’s Anatomy Regional and Applied, 12th Edition, Churchill Livingstone Elsevier.
Richard L. Drake, A. Wayne Vogl, Adam. W.M. Mitchell: Gray’s Anatomy for Students, 2nd Edition, Churchill Livingstone Elsevier.
J Vasc Surg. 2010 Apr;51(4):982-9. doi: 10.1016/j.jvs.2009.08.094. The anatomy of the small saphenous vein: fascial and neural relations, saphenofemoral junction, and valves. Schweighofer G1, Mühlberger D, Brenner E.
Knipe H, MD: Small saphenous vein. Radiopaedia.org (accessed 10/03/2016).
Wheeless C, MD: Veins of the Lower Extremity. Wheeless' Textbook of Orthopaedics (accessed 10/03/2016).
Healthline Medical Team: Lesser saphenous vein. Healthline Media (accessed 10/03/2016).

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