THE DEEP VEINS OF THE LOWER EXTREMITY. 853 
THE DEEP VEINS OF THE LOWER EXTREMITY. 
All the arteries of the lower limb except the popliteal and femoral trunks are 
accompanied by two vene comites. They usually le one on each side of the 
artery; they are connected with each other by transverse channels which pass 
in front of or behind the artery, and they are provided with numerous valves. 
The popliteal vein (v. poplitea, Fig. 575) is formed, at the lower border of the 
popliteus muscle, by the union of the ven comites of the anterior and posterior 
tibial arteries. At its commencement it lies to the inner side of and somewhat 
Tensor fascie _ 
femoris Femoral artery 
emoris 
<a : ae Femoral vein 
Superfiéial cir- e 
cumflex iliac — 
artery —— ae Crural canal 
Rectus femoris 
Superficial ex- 
ternal pudic 
artery 
Psoas and iliacus —~_ 
Profunda artery 
External cir- 
cumflex artery 
Deep external pudic 
Vastus externus ——}2! artery 
. Long saphenous vein 
Vastus internus — 
Adductor longus 
Gracilis 
Fic. 588.—THE FEMORAL VESSELS IN SCARPA’S ‘T'RIANGLE. 
superficial to the popliteal artery, and to the outer side of the internal popliteal 
nerve. As it ascends through the popliteal space it gradually inclines towards the 
outer side of the artery, and in the middle of the space it is directly behind the 
artery, separating the artery from the internal popliteal nerve, which is still more 
posterior, whilst at the upper end of the space it is to the outer side of the artery, 
and still between it and the internal popliteal nerve. It then passes through the 
adductor magnus muscle and becomes the femoral vein. 
The popliteal vein, which is provided with two or three bicuspid valves, is closely 
bound to the artery by a dense fascial sheath. Not uncommonly there are one or 
more additional satellite veins which anastomose with the popliteal vein, and in 
these cases the artery is more or less completely surrounded by venous trunks. 
