Connection lost. Please refresh the page.
Online
Get help How to study
English
Login Register
Anatomy
Basics
Terminology Introduction to the musculoskeletal system Introduction to the other systems
Upper limb
Overview Shoulder and arm Elbow and forearm Wrist and hand Nerves and vessels
Lower limb
Overview Hip and thigh Knee and leg Ankle and foot Nerves and vessels
Spine and back
Overview Spine Back
Thorax
Thoracic wall Female breast Mediastinum Lungs Heart
Abdomen
Abdominal wall Peritoneum Stomach Spleen Liver Pancreas Small intestine Large intestine Kidneys and ureters Nerves, vessels and lymphatics of the abdomen
Pelvis and perineum
Pelvic girdle and floor Female pelvis and reproductive organs Male pelvis and reproductive organs Urinary bladder and urethra Perineum Nerves, vessels and lymphatics of the pelvis
Head and neck
Overview Skull Face and scalp Infratemporal region and pterygopalatine fossa Orbit and contents Nasal region Ear Oral cavity Teeth Pharynx Neck
Neuroanatomy
Overview Cerebrum Diencephalon Cerebellum Brainstem Meninges, ventricular system and subarachnoid space Blood supply of the brain Spinal cord Pathways of the nervous system Cranial nerves Peripheral nervous system
Cross sections
Head and neck Upper limb Thorax Abdomen Male pelvis Female pelvis Lower limb
Radiological anatomy
Head and neck Thorax Abdomen and pelvis Upper limb Lower limb
Histology
Types of tissues
Introduction to cells and tissues Epithelial tissue Connective tissue Cartilage and bone Muscle tissue Nervous tissue
Body systems
Cardiovascular system Nervous system Integumentary system Respiratory system Urinary system Endocrine system Digestive system Lymphoid system Male reproductive system Female reproductive system Eye and ear
AnatomyLower limbNerves and vesselsSmall saphenous vein
Table of contents
Ready to learn?
Pick your favorite study tool

Register now and grab your free ultimate anatomy study guide!

AnatomyLower limbNerves and vesselsSmall saphenous vein

Small saphenous vein

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

Recommended video: Neurovasculature of leg and knee [15:48]
Arteries, veins and nerves of the leg and knee.

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
  1. Anatomy
    1. Drainage
    2. Course
  2. Clinical points
  3. Sources
+ Show all

Anatomy

Drainage

Small saphenous vein
Vena saphena parva
1/2
Synonyms: Short saphenous vein

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).

Small saphenous vein: want to learn more about it?

Our engaging videos, interactive quizzes, in-depth articles and HD atlas are here to get you top results faster.

What do you prefer to learn with?

Videos Quizzes Both

“I would honestly say that Kenhub cut my study time in half.” – Read more.

Kim Bengochea Kim Bengochea, Regis University, Denver
© Unless stated otherwise, all content, including illustrations are exclusive property of Kenhub GmbH, and are protected by German and international copyright laws. All rights reserved.

Register now and grab your free ultimate anatomy study guide!