Venous System of the Lower Limb

Deep and Superficial Venous Systems of the Lower Limb

Introduction to the Venous System

Similar to the upper limb, the venous system in the lower limb comprises both deep and superficial networks. The deep network mirrors the arterial pathways, while the superficial network is visible near the skin's surface.

• Deep Venous Network: Lies deep within the limb, sharing pathways with corresponding arteries.
• Superficial Venous System: Veins visible on the surface, such as those on the dorsal aspect of the foot or varicose veins on the legs.

Deep Veins of the Leg

Dorsal Venous Arch

Located on the dorsal aspect of the foot, it collects blood from the dorsal arterial arch.

Anterior Tibial Vein

Drains blood from the dorsal venous arch and continues up the anterior aspect of the leg.

• Passes through the interosseous membrane (proximal).
• Dips behind the leg into the popliteal area.
• Connects to the popliteal vein.

Popliteal Vein

Formed by the merging of the anterior tibial vein and veins from the posterior aspect of the leg.

Plantar Venous Arches and Veins

Located on the plantar aspect of the foot (lateral and medial plantar venous arches and veins).

Posterior Tibial Vein

Drains the plantar venous arches and continues upwards.

• Similar to how the posterior tibial artery supplies the plantar aspect of the foot.
• Continues as the popliteal vein once it enters the popliteal region.

Fibular Vein

Collects blood from the lateral compartment of the leg.

• Connects to the posterior tibial vein.

Femoral Vein

The popliteal vein becomes the femoral vein after passing through the adductor hiatus in the thigh.

• Passes through the adductor hiatus from the posterior to the anterior thigh.
• Collects blood from:
  • Lateral aspect of the femur.
  • Hip area.
  • Lateral side of the leg (via circumflex veins).
  • Hamstring muscles (via deep femoral vein).

External Iliac Vein

The femoral vein becomes the external iliac vein after passing underneath the inguinal ligament and entering the pelvis.

• Passes in the adductor canal alongside the femoral artery.
• Passes through the femoral triangle.

Common Iliac Vein

The external iliac vein becomes the common iliac vein after receiving blood from the true pelvic region via the internal iliac vein.

• Internal Iliac Vein: Drains blood from visceral organs and the gluteal region.

Inferior Vena Cava

The common iliac veins merge to form the inferior vena cava, which returns blood to the heart.

• Exits the false pelvis.

Superficial Veins of the Leg

Great Saphenous Vein

The larger of the two major superficial veins.

• Runs the entire length of the anteromedial leg.

Small Saphenous Vein

The smaller superficial vein.

• Runs via the lateral and posterior aspect of the leg below the knee.
• Drains into the popliteal vein in the popliteal region.
• Runs down the posterior aspect of the calf.
• Lateral to the lateral malleolus.