Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsAnatomyFunctionClinical SignificanceAssociated ConditionsSummary
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
Anatomy
Function
Clinical Significance
Associated Conditions
Summary
Running from the top of the foot (dorsum) and up the inner sides of the leg, the great saphenous vein is the body’s longest vein. The vein’s primary task is to drain deoxygenated blood from the foot, as well as superficial parts of the leg and knee (closer to the surface). This is taken back to the heart and lungs, where oxygen and nutrients are restored for delivery to the rest of the body.
Sometimes called the long saphenous vein, it arises from the medial marginal vein of the foot. It terminates as it drains into thefemoral veinon the inner (medial) side of the femoral triangle of the pelvis.
Marina113 / Getty Images
Structure
Like all venous vessels, the walls of the great saphenous vein are composed of three layers:
Notably, since this vein is tasked with bringing blood back to the heart, it has numerous venous valves, which prevent backflow and help promote circulation. These are especially important for ensuring that blood doesn’t flow back into deeper veins in the body.
Location
The course of the great saphenous vein takes it from the foot to the thigh. It’s a superficial vein, meaning it runs closer to the surface of the skin. Its path can be subdivided into three portions:
Anatomical Variations
As with many vessels in the body, variations of the anatomy of the great saphenous vein do occur. There are actually many differences that can occur, and they tend to vary based on their location along the course. These may or may not lead to functional difficulties or other issues and can be broken into three broad types:
The primary job of the great saphenous vein is to convey deoxygenated blood from the surfaces and deeper veins of the lower limbs back to the heart. Throughout its course, both major and minor veins are involved in this task, including:
The great saphenous vein also has clinical applications. Because of its position close to the surface of the skin, it offers easy access for sampling blood.
Given its size and significant role, these can lead to significant issues. Primarily, this vessel is associated with:
Symptoms of Issues with the Great Saphenous Vein
The following symptoms may be a sign of a potential problem with the great saphenous vein:
Rehabilitation
Care for conditions involving the great saphenous vein can mean anything from making lifestyle changes and managing underlying problems to surgery. It very much depends on the specific case, and sometimes multiple strategies are needed.
Here’s a quick breakdown of what rehabilitation of this vessel can look like:
Anatomical variations in this vein, like segmental gaps or duplicate sections, can sometimes lead to issues like varicose veins, where blood pools due to valve problems. Varicose veins and inflammation-related clotting (thrombophlebitis) are the most common concerns.
Treatments range from lifestyle adjustments and compression stockings to options like sclerotherapy or thermal ablation to help circulation. In more serious cases, medications or minor surgeries might be needed.
11 SourcesVerywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.MacManus D, Knipe H.Great saphenous vein: radiology reference article. Radiopaedia.National Cancer Institute SEER Training Modules.Classification and structure of blood vessels.Shahid S.Great saphenous vein. Kenhub.Choi B, Byun G, Hwang S, Koo B, Lee S.Long-segment hypoplasia of great saphenous vein with posterior accessory saphenous vein as a connecting vein: a case report.J Surg Case Rep. 2017;(3):rjx058. doi:10.1093/jscr/rjx058Aithal A, Kumar N, Swamy R, Nayak S, Rao M, Abhinitha P.Bifurcated great saphenous vein: a report on its therapeutic and diagnostic perspectives.J Cardiovasc Echogr. 2017;27(3):107. doi:10.4103/jcecho.jcecho_7_17Kumar N, Padavinangadi A, Swamy R, Satheesha N, Mohandas Rao K.Unilateral double great saphenous vein: a clinically significant case report.J Cardiovasc Echogr. 2015;25(4):116. doi:10.4103/2211-4122.172491National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute.Varicose veins.Penn Medicine.Thrombophlebitis: Symptoms and causes.Alwahbi A, Alamri A, Alotaibi W. Risk Factors of Saphenous Vein Insufficiency in Female Patients in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. Cureus. 2020 Jan 13;12(1):e6643. doi: 10.7759/cureus.6643. PMID: 31966948; PMCID: PMC6961556.National Institutes of Health DailyMed.Label: Vasculera-diosmiplex tablet.Raetz J, Wilson M, Collins K.Varicose veins: diagnosis and treatment.Am Fam Physician; 99(11):682-688.
11 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.MacManus D, Knipe H.Great saphenous vein: radiology reference article. Radiopaedia.National Cancer Institute SEER Training Modules.Classification and structure of blood vessels.Shahid S.Great saphenous vein. Kenhub.Choi B, Byun G, Hwang S, Koo B, Lee S.Long-segment hypoplasia of great saphenous vein with posterior accessory saphenous vein as a connecting vein: a case report.J Surg Case Rep. 2017;(3):rjx058. doi:10.1093/jscr/rjx058Aithal A, Kumar N, Swamy R, Nayak S, Rao M, Abhinitha P.Bifurcated great saphenous vein: a report on its therapeutic and diagnostic perspectives.J Cardiovasc Echogr. 2017;27(3):107. doi:10.4103/jcecho.jcecho_7_17Kumar N, Padavinangadi A, Swamy R, Satheesha N, Mohandas Rao K.Unilateral double great saphenous vein: a clinically significant case report.J Cardiovasc Echogr. 2015;25(4):116. doi:10.4103/2211-4122.172491National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute.Varicose veins.Penn Medicine.Thrombophlebitis: Symptoms and causes.Alwahbi A, Alamri A, Alotaibi W. Risk Factors of Saphenous Vein Insufficiency in Female Patients in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. Cureus. 2020 Jan 13;12(1):e6643. doi: 10.7759/cureus.6643. PMID: 31966948; PMCID: PMC6961556.National Institutes of Health DailyMed.Label: Vasculera-diosmiplex tablet.Raetz J, Wilson M, Collins K.Varicose veins: diagnosis and treatment.Am Fam Physician; 99(11):682-688.
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
MacManus D, Knipe H.Great saphenous vein: radiology reference article. Radiopaedia.National Cancer Institute SEER Training Modules.Classification and structure of blood vessels.Shahid S.Great saphenous vein. Kenhub.Choi B, Byun G, Hwang S, Koo B, Lee S.Long-segment hypoplasia of great saphenous vein with posterior accessory saphenous vein as a connecting vein: a case report.J Surg Case Rep. 2017;(3):rjx058. doi:10.1093/jscr/rjx058Aithal A, Kumar N, Swamy R, Nayak S, Rao M, Abhinitha P.Bifurcated great saphenous vein: a report on its therapeutic and diagnostic perspectives.J Cardiovasc Echogr. 2017;27(3):107. doi:10.4103/jcecho.jcecho_7_17Kumar N, Padavinangadi A, Swamy R, Satheesha N, Mohandas Rao K.Unilateral double great saphenous vein: a clinically significant case report.J Cardiovasc Echogr. 2015;25(4):116. doi:10.4103/2211-4122.172491National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute.Varicose veins.Penn Medicine.Thrombophlebitis: Symptoms and causes.Alwahbi A, Alamri A, Alotaibi W. Risk Factors of Saphenous Vein Insufficiency in Female Patients in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. Cureus. 2020 Jan 13;12(1):e6643. doi: 10.7759/cureus.6643. PMID: 31966948; PMCID: PMC6961556.National Institutes of Health DailyMed.Label: Vasculera-diosmiplex tablet.Raetz J, Wilson M, Collins K.Varicose veins: diagnosis and treatment.Am Fam Physician; 99(11):682-688.
MacManus D, Knipe H.Great saphenous vein: radiology reference article. Radiopaedia.
National Cancer Institute SEER Training Modules.Classification and structure of blood vessels.
Shahid S.Great saphenous vein. Kenhub.
Choi B, Byun G, Hwang S, Koo B, Lee S.Long-segment hypoplasia of great saphenous vein with posterior accessory saphenous vein as a connecting vein: a case report.J Surg Case Rep. 2017;(3):rjx058. doi:10.1093/jscr/rjx058
Aithal A, Kumar N, Swamy R, Nayak S, Rao M, Abhinitha P.Bifurcated great saphenous vein: a report on its therapeutic and diagnostic perspectives.J Cardiovasc Echogr. 2017;27(3):107. doi:10.4103/jcecho.jcecho_7_17
Kumar N, Padavinangadi A, Swamy R, Satheesha N, Mohandas Rao K.Unilateral double great saphenous vein: a clinically significant case report.J Cardiovasc Echogr. 2015;25(4):116. doi:10.4103/2211-4122.172491
National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute.Varicose veins.
Penn Medicine.Thrombophlebitis: Symptoms and causes.
Alwahbi A, Alamri A, Alotaibi W. Risk Factors of Saphenous Vein Insufficiency in Female Patients in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. Cureus. 2020 Jan 13;12(1):e6643. doi: 10.7759/cureus.6643. PMID: 31966948; PMCID: PMC6961556.
National Institutes of Health DailyMed.Label: Vasculera-diosmiplex tablet.
Raetz J, Wilson M, Collins K.Varicose veins: diagnosis and treatment.Am Fam Physician; 99(11):682-688.
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