THE DEEP VEINS OF THE LOWER EXTREMITY 



671 



nicates with the deep veins on the dorsum of the foot, and receives numerous large 

 tributaries from the back of the leg. Before it pierces the deep fascia, it gives off 



a branch which runs upward and forward to join 

 the great saphenous vein. The small saphenous 

 vein possesses from nine to twelve valves, one of 



A ^\\ 1\r\ I which is always found near its termination in the 



popliteal vein. In the lower third of the leg the 

 small saphenous vein is in close relation with 

 the sural nerve, in the upper two-thirds with 

 the medial sural cutaneous nerve. 



The Deep Veins of the Lower Extremity. 



The deep veins of the lower extremity accom- 

 pany the arteries and their branches; they possess 

 numerous valves. 



Fia. 581. The great saphenous vein and 

 its tributaries. 



FIG. 582. The small saphenous vein. 





The plantar digital veins (n 1 . digitales plantares) arise from plexuses on the 

 plantar surfaces of the digits, and, after sending intercapitular veins to join the 



