496 



VEINS OF THE LOWEE LIMB. 



anterior and posterior tibial arteries, and in the tliigh one or more 



branches pass between it and the femoral A-ein. This long vein has a 



variable number of valves. Sometimes six have been counted ; in other 



cases only four or even two. It contains more 



Fig. 31.'. in its course throngli the thigh than in the hs:. 



t \i 



A 



M 



t# 



i 



>^i 



Fig. D15. — Superficial Veins of the Fkunt and Inner 

 Side of the Lower Limb. 



1, the saphenous apcrtui-e of tlie fascia lata ; a, super- 

 ficial epigastric yein ; h, external pudic ; c, superficial cir- 

 cumflex iliac ; d, external or short saphenous beginning on 

 the dorsum of the foot (see Fig. SIC). 



Tributaries.— The long saphenous vein is joinM 

 in its course by numerous cutaneous vessels. Close to 

 its termination it receives, besides a considerable 

 anterior branch, the siqierjiclal cjngastric, external 

 2}iidic, and su2)erfe'ial rircitvifh'.r iliar veins correspond- 

 ing severally to arterial branches of the same name. 



It is also usually joined near its termination by a 

 jjoisterior branch of considerable size, coming from 

 the posterior and inner part of the thigh. 



The external or short saphenous vein pro- 

 ceeds from branches, which arise along the 

 outer side of the dorsum of the foot. It passes 

 behind the outer ankle, and ascends the leg 

 along the border of the tendo Achillis and on 

 the belly of the gastrocnemius musclcj accom- 

 panied by the external saphenous nerve ; run- 

 ning upwards between the heads of the gastro- 

 cnemius, it unites with the popliteal vein. Oppo- 

 site the ankle and along the leg it communicates 

 with the deep veins : and it receives superficial 

 accessory veins from the outer part of the foot 

 and the back of the leg. 



Variety. — The short saphenous vein sometimes 

 issues from the popliteal space, and winding round 

 the inside of the thigh, opens into the long saphenous 

 vein. 



a?HE DEEP VEINS OF THE LOWER LIMB. 



The deep veins accompany the arteries and 

 their branches, following exactly their distribu- 

 tion. Those below the knee, being for the most 

 part disposed in pairs, and presenting the dis- 

 position described in the corresponding veins of 

 the upper limb, are named the vense comites 

 of the vessels with wliich they are associated. 

 The vente comites of the arteries of the leg, 

 namely, the anterior and posterior tibial 

 veins (the latter having previously received the 

 peroneal), unite near the lower border of the 

 popliteus muscle, and form by their junction the popliteal vein. The 

 valves of the deep veins of the leg are very numerous, — ten or twelve 

 being sometimes found between the heel and the knee. 



