Health Dictionary
Reliable, easy-to-read patient information on common medical conditions — written in plain language, free of jargon, and grounded in current evidence. Browse the most frequent diagnoses, understand what they mean for everyday life, and learn which steps and questions help you have a focused conversation with your doctor.
Small saphenous vein
Introduction
The small saphenous vein (also lesser saphenous vein), is a relatively large vein of the superficial posterior leg.
Path
Path
Its origin is where the dorsal vein from the fifth digit (smallest toe) merges with the dorsal venous arch of the foot, which attaches to the great saphenous vein. It is a considered a superficial vein and is subcutaneous (just under the skin).
From its origin, it courses around the lateral aspect of the foot (inferior and posterior to the lateral malleolus) and runs along the posterior aspect of the leg (with the sural nerve), passes between the heads of the gastrocnemius muscle, and drains into the popliteal vein, approximately at or above the level of the knee joint.
Additional images
Additional images
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Cross-section through middle of leg. -
Nerves of the dorsum of the foot.
External links
External links
- Template:GraySubject – “The Arteries of the Lower Extremity”
- Template:Answers.com – Stedman’s medical dictionary
- Illustration at pdn.cam.ac.uk
- Template:MedicalMnemonics
Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]