THE YEIXS. 397 



The ^posterior tibial vein results from the union of the small 

 metatarsal vein and two others. It passes up the back part of 

 the thigh, and terminates in the femoral vein. The femoral 

 also receives, from the parts below, the medullary, the mus- 

 cular, and the saphena major and minor. 



The greater saphenous vein arises low down on the leg and 

 passes up close to the skin, crossing the inside of the hough, 

 and proceeding up the inside of the thigh to empty into the 

 femoral vein. An enlargement of this vein, as it reaches the 

 hough, constitutes blood-spavin. 



The Femoral Vein. — This large vein is formed by the union 

 of the principal veins from below. It runs behind the femoral 

 artery, and ends in the external iliac. In its course it receives 

 several branches. 



The external iliac vein, after receiving the femoral, the vein of 

 the groin and of the belly, and another large branch, enters 

 the cavity of the abdomen, to help form the common iliac vein. 



The internal iliac vein is formed by the union of two veins, 

 each of which has several branches, coming from the tail, the 

 rump, the parts between the thighs, aftd about the fundament. 



The common iliac vein is formed by the union of the external 

 and internal iliac veins. It also receives three other branches. 

 It and its mate of the opposite side unite under the last ver- 

 tebra of the loins to form the commencement of the posterior 

 vena cava. 



The posterior vena cava passes under the bodies of the bones 

 of the loins, and on into the chest, passing across to the lower 

 part of the right auricle, into which it empties. In its course it 

 receives large veins coming from the loins, the genital organs, 

 the kidneys, the liver, and diaphragm. 



The blood from the digestive organs is carried from them by 

 a great number of veins, uniting in one common trunk, called 

 the portal vein, and which empties into the liver. It under- 

 goes in the liver a purifying process, and is then carried on to 

 the vena cava by the vein going from the liver to it. 



