476 



VEINS OF THE LOWEE LIMB AND PELVIS. 



It is also usually joined near its termination by & posterior branch of considerable 

 size, coming from the posterior and inner part of the thigh. 



The external or short saphenous vein proceeds from branches, which arise 

 along the outer side of the dorsum of the foot. It passes behind the 



Fig 323 Fig. 323. OUTLINE OF THE POSTERIOR OR SHORT SAPHENOUS 



VEIN. 



The vein, commencing on the dorsum and outside of the 

 foot, is seen to pass up -behind the outer ankle and to dip 

 beneath the fascia in the popliteal space. 



outer ankle, and gradually inclines backwards to 

 ascend along the border of the tendo Achillis and on 

 the belly of the gastrocnemius muscle, accompanied 

 by the external saphenous nerve ; running upwards 

 between the heads of the gastrocnemius, it unites 

 with the popliteal vein. Opposite 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. 



THE DEEP VEINS OF THE LOWEll LIMB. 



The deep veins accompany the arteries and their 

 branches, following exactly their distribution. Those 

 below the knee, being for the most part disposed in 

 pairs, and presenting the disposition described in the 

 corresponding veins of the upper limb, are named the 

 vena comites of the vessels with which they are as- 

 sociated. The vense 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. 



The POPLITEAL VEIN, thus formed, receives smaller branches correspond- 

 ing with the articular and muscular arteries, and the larger branch named 

 the external saphenous vein. In its course through the ham, the popliteal 

 vein is placed at first internally to the popliteal artery, then behind, and 

 lastly to the outer side of it, but always posteriorly and between it and the 

 nerve. Thus situated, it passes up through the aperture in the adductor 

 maguus, and becomes continuous with the femoral vein. 



PECULIARITIES. The union of the veins which form the popliteal is often farther 

 up than usual, and the lower part of the artery is accompanied by t\vo veins. This 

 arrangement in some rare cases extends to the entire length of the artery. 



The FEMORAL VEIN extends, like the artery which it accompanies, through 

 the upper two-thirds of the thigh, and terminates at Poupart's ligament in 

 the external iliac vein. Placed at first outside the artery, it gradually inclines 

 inwards behind it, and on reaching Poupart's ligament, lies on the inner 

 side, on the same plane with the artery, and separated from it only by a 

 slight partition of the membranous sheath, by which they are both invested. 



