Veins
The veins of the leg are divided into superficial and deep veins. The superficial veins run directly under the skin and without accompanying arteries, while the deep veins are often named like the arteries and run together with them. Superficial and deep veins are connected by connecting veins (Vv.
Perforantes). The largest superficial vein is the vein saphena magna. It extends from the inner side of the foot to the hip, where it opens into the deep vena femoralis.
In its course, it receives the blood of the foot vein network and numerous other small veins of the leg. In the area of the venous star just before it opens into the femoral vein, it receives the external pudenda vein, which carries the blood from the scrotum or labia. All of them also transport the blood from different areas of the hip or skin.
The smaller vena saphena parva is located in the area of the outer edge of the foot. It also takes up blood from the venous network of the back of the foot and then runs along the back of the lower leg. In the area of the popliteal fossa it disappears into the popliteal vein.
- Vena epigastrica superior, the
- Vena circumflexa ilium superficialis and the
- Vena accessoria cross over into the vena saphena magna at the venous star.
The deep veins correspond in name and course as far as possible to the arteries. The main vein of the lower extremity is the femoral vein. It receives inflows from the anterior and posterior tibial veins.These transport the blood from the deep and superficial extensor and flexor muscles.
In the popliteal fossa, they enter the popliteal vein, which then flows into the femoral vein. From there the blood flows via the inferior vena cava in the direction of the heart.