672 



dorsal digital veins, unite to form four metatarsal veins; these run backward in 

 the metatarsal spaces, communicate, by means of perforating veins, with the 

 veins on the dorsum of the foot, and unite to form the deep plantar venous arch 

 w r hich lies alongside the plantar arterial arch. From the deep plantar venous arch 

 the medial and lateral plantar veins run backward close to the corresponding 

 arteries and, after communicating with the great and small saphenous veins, unite 

 behind the medial malleolus to form the posterior tibial veins. 



The posterior tibial veins (vv. tibiales posteriores) accompany the posterior 

 tibial artery, and are joined by the peroneal veins. 



The anterior tibial veins (vv. tibiales anteriores) are 

 the upward continuation of the venae comitantes of the 

 dorsalis pedis artery. They leave the front of the 

 leg by passing between the tibia and fibula, over the 

 interosseous membrane, and unite with the posterior 

 tibial, to form the popliteal vein. 



The Popliteal Vein (v. poplitea) (Fig. 583) is formed 

 by the junction of the anterior and posterior tibial veins 

 at the lower border of the Popliteus; it ascends through 

 the popliteal fossa to the aperture in the Adductor mag- 

 nus, where it becomes the femoral vein. In the lower 

 part of its course it is placed medial to the artery; 

 between the heads of the Gastrocnemius it is super- 

 ficial to that vessel; but above the knee-joint, it is close 

 to its lateral side. It receives tributaries corresponding 

 to the branches of the popliteal artery, and it also 

 receives the small saphenous vein. The valves in the 

 popliteal vein are usually four in number. 



The femoral vein (v. femoralis) accompanies the 

 femoral artery through the upper two-thirds of the 

 thigh. In the lower part of its course it lies lateral to 

 the artery; higher up, it is behind it; and at the inguinal 

 ligament, it lies on its medial side, and on the same 

 plane. It receives numerous muscular tributaries, and 

 about 4 cm. below the inguinal ligament is joined by 

 thev.profundafemoris; near its termination it is joined 

 by the great saphenous vein. The valves in the femoral 

 vein are three in number. 



The Deep Femoral Vein (v. profunda femoris) receives 

 tributaries corresponding to the perforating branches of the profunda artery, and 

 through these establishes communications with the popliteal vein below and the 

 inferior gluteal vein above. It also receives the medial and lateral femoral circum- 

 flex veins. 



The Veins of the Abdomen and Pelvis (Figs. 585, 586, 587). 



The external iliac vein (v. iliaca externa), the upward continuation of the femoral 

 vein, begins behind the inguinal ligament, and, passing upward along the brim 

 of the lesser pelvis, ends opposite the sacroiliac articulation, by uniting with the 

 hypogastric vein to form the common iliac vein. On the right side, it lies at first 

 medial to the artery: but, as it passes upward, gradually inclines behind it. On 

 the left side, it lies altogether on the medial side of the artery. It frequently 

 contains one, sometimes two, valves. 



Tributaries. The external iliac vein receives the inferior epigastric, deep iliac 

 circumflex, and pubic veins. 



The Inferior Epigastric Vein (v. epigastrica inferior; deep epigastric vein) is formed 



FIG. 583. The popliteal vein. 



