Vascular Review: Peripheral Veins and Lower Extremity Hemodynamics

Vocabulary flashcards covering peripheral venous anatomy, physiology, hemodynamics, and pathology markers based on lecture notes.

Proximal

Located closer to the heart.

Distal

Located farther from the heart.

Venae comitantes

Paired deep veins of the calf that follow arteries; also known as corresponding veins.

Tibioperoneal trunk

The vessel formed by the confluence of the paired peroneal veins and the posterior tibial veins.

Popliteal vein

Formed by the junction of the anterior tibial veins and the tibioperoneal trunk just below the knee.

Soleal veins

Venous reservoirs located within soleus muscles that do not have accompanying arteries and drain into the PTV and peroneal veins.

Gastrocnemius veins

Paired veins that accompany arteries in the medial and lateral gastrocnemius muscles, usually draining directly into the popliteal vein.

Adductor canal

Also known as Hunter’s canal; the location where the popliteal vein becomes the femoral vein.

Baker’s cyst

Also known as a popliteal cyst; a fluid-filled swelling behind the knee caused by synovial fluid, often associated with arthritis or injury.

May-Thurner Syndrome

A condition where the left common iliac vein is compressed by the right common iliac artery, increasing the risk of left-sided DVT.

Rouleau formation

A French term meaning "roll," used to describe red blood cells arranged like rolls of coins, indicating very sluggish flow.

Synechiae

Linear, echogenic intraluminal striations seen in chronic DVT as thrombus is converted to a fibrous band over time.

Acute Thrombosis

Characterized by dilated, non-compressible veins with hypoechoic thrombus and a high risk of embolization.

Chronic Thrombosis

Characterized by contracted, small-caliber veins with echogenic thrombus that may be adhered to the wall.

Amasotrophy

A phenomenon where the echogenicity of a tendon changes with the angulation of the transducer, causing it to brighten or darken.

Virchow’s triad

The three categories of risk factors for thrombosis: trauma to the vessel (endothelial damage), venous stasis, and hypercoagulability.

Paget-Schroetter Syndrome

Also known as stress or effort thrombosis; involves the subclavian or axillary vein secondary to intense repetitive activity.

Nutcracker syndrome

Compression of the left renal vein between the aorta and the superior mesenteric artery.

Post-thrombotic syndrome

Also called postphlebitic syndrome; the combination of chronic swelling, brawny discoloration, and ulcer formation in the gaiter zone.

Gaiter zone

The area of the distal calf-to-ankle where brawny discoloration and venous stasis ulcers most frequently occur.

Lipodermatosclerosis

Thickening and hardening of the skin found in patients with chronic venous insufficiency due to chronic inflammation.

Pitting edema

An accumulation of fluid in the subcutaneous tissue that leaves a depression in the skin when manual pressure is applied.

Lymphedema

A nonpitting edema caused by an obstruction in the lymphatic system.

Tunica intima

The inner layer of a vein consisting of a single layer of endothelial cells.

Tunica adventitia

The thin fibrous outer layer of a vein surrounding elastic tissue and containing the vasa vasorum.

Transmural pressure

The difference between the pressure exerted on venous walls from within (intraluminal pressure) and from outside (interstitial pressure).

Hydrostatic pressure

Equivalent to the weight of a column of blood extending from the heart to the level of measurement, defined by the formula $HP = pgh$.

Phasicity (Lower Extremity)

The normal respiratory pattern where venous flow increases with expiration and decreases with inspiration.

Valsalva Maneuver

Taking a deep breath and bearing down, which significantly increases intrathoracic and intra-abdominal pressures and halts venous return.