Saphenous vein: Location, Structure, Diagnosis and Treatment

The saphenous veins, which are blood arteries in your legs, help carry blood from your feet and legs back to your heart. There are two saphenous veins in each leg. These are the names given to your large and small saphenous veins. 

The great saphenous vein, sometimes referred to as the long saphenous vein, extends from the top of your thigh to your foot and is the longest vein in your body.

Where Is The Saphenous Vein Located?

Saphenous veins are superficial veins found in your legs. While superficial veins are closer to the skin's surface, deep veins are found deeper within your body. Your great saphenous vein runs from your foot to your upper thigh. From the back of your knee to your foot, the little saphenous vein travels.

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What Is The Structure Of The saphenous vein?

Your small and large saphenous veins begin at the top of your foot. Blood flow from your foot enters your saphenous vein through the dorsal venous arch, a network of microscopic veins, where they begin. Your great saphenous vein originates at the medial end of this vein, which is the end nearest to the middle of your body.

Your leg's interior surface is then where your great saphenous vein ascends. Throughout the trip, several veins empty into your great saphenous vein. The great saphenous vein stops flowing in your upper thigh. There your great saphenous vein receives the discharge of your deep femoral vein.

Your small saphenous vein begins at the lateral end of the dorsal venous arch of your foot. This is the end that is closest to the outside edge of your foot. After that, your small saphenous vein ascends to the rear of your calf and stops behind your knee. It drains into your popliteal vein. This deep vein supplies the blood that makes its way to your femoral vein.

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What Is The Saphenous Vein Composed Of?

The walls of your saphenous veins are composed of three layers of tissue:

• The tunica adventitia, or outer layer, provides your vein with its structure and form.
• The tunica medium, or middle layer, contains smooth muscle cells. These cells allow your vein to enlarge (dilate) or constrict (become smaller) as blood flows through it.

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What Is The Use of The Saphenous Vein?

Your saphenous veins return blood with low oxygen content to your heart, just like most other veins in your body. Numerous small veins in your legs and feet drain into your saphenous veins. Your saphenous veins later carry this blood to the veins in your upper legs. From then on, your blood continues to ascend to your inferior vena cava. This massive vein delivers blood directly to your heart.

Your saphenous veins are a part of your body's circulatory system. The circulatory system in your body keeps blood flowing through it consistently. Your blood is always flowing. This is because it has to supply all of the tissues and organs with oxygen and nutrients. This occurs once every minute of every day.

The routes that carry blood on the way are your saphenous veins and other blood vessels. Veins carry blood into your heart, whereas arteries carry it out. You might be wondering why my blood must always return to my heart. With each beat, the heart pumps blood to the lungs, allowing the organs to take in oxygen and release carbon dioxide.

After leaving your lungs, your blood returns to your heart. The oxygen-rich blood that your heart then pumps out again fuels your body. After carrying oxygen and nutrition, your blood returns via your veins to your heart. And so the cycle continues.

Your saphenous vein may occasionally be used to create a bypass graft that is used in another area of your body. This happens during coronary artery bypass grafting or CABG.

During CABG, surgeons have to create a new path for your blood to go to avoid a clogged coronary artery. They use a blood vessel from another area of your body to create this new route. Using your saphenous vein is one approach to go about this process. Researchers are now investigating the advantages and disadvantages of using the saphenous vein for bypass grafts.

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Which Signs And Symptoms Usually Indicate Problems With The Saphenous Vein?

Your leg veins, including your saphenous veins, may cause:

• Foot, ankles, or legs are swollen (edema), especially after prolonged standing.
• Pain or sensitivity.
• Tired, throbbing, or hurting legs.
• The leathery skin of your legs.
• Skin flakes or itchy feet or legs could be present.

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Which Tests Diagnose The Health Of The Saphenous Vein?

Usually, a physical examination by your provider will reveal whether problems exist with your saphenous vein. Your doctor may also perform a vascular ultrasound to learn more. They might also test your blood for signs of infections or issues with blood clotting.

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Which Treatments For Saphenous Veins Are Most Commonly Used?

How you are treated will depend on your situation. Conventional treatments include:

• Lifestyle modifications: Your physician may suggest cautious varicose vein treatment techniques. These include lifting your legs periodically and donning compression stockings. Your doctor may also suggest increasing your physical activity level.
• Sclerotherapy: Your doctor will inject a solution into your varicose vein to help it disappear over time.
• Endovenous thermal ablation: Your doctor will use a laser and a catheter, or tube, to seal off the wounded vein.
• Vein ligation and stripping: The doctor cuts and removes the damaged vein.
• Blood thinners: If there are any blood clots in the affected area, your doctor may prescribe blood thinners.

Talk to your healthcare provider about the best course of action.

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