Introduction: Great Saphenous Vein
The great saphenous vein is a large vein that runs from the foot up the inside of the leg. It is the longest vein in the body and is a major route for blood to return to the heart. The great saphenous vein can be used for a number of different procedures, including bypass surgery and the removal of varicose veins.
This is a large vein in the leg that drains blood from the foot and leg back to the heart. This vein in the body is often used by doctors for taking blood samples or for intravenous (IV) therapy. The great saphenous vein can also be used for heart surgery, as it is a good source of blood for the heart. The great saphenous vein is also known as the greater saphenous vein or the long saphenous vein.
What is the great saphenous vein?
The great saphenous vein is a large vein that runs from the foot up to the thigh. It is the largest vein in the body and is responsible for carrying blood from the foot to the heart.
This vein is important because it helps to circulate blood throughout the body and helps to keep the blood pressure regulated. The great saphenous vein is also responsible for carrying excess blood back to the heart when the body does not need it.
The great saphenous vein is a vital part of the circulatory system and is necessary for the proper functioning of the body.
Why is the vein so important?
One of the most important veins in the human body is the great saphenous vein. This vein is responsible for carrying blood from the legs and feet back to the heart. Without this vein, the blood would not be able to circulate properly and the legs and feet would not receive the oxygen and nutrients they need.
The great saphenous vein is also important because it helps to regulate blood pressure. When the vein is working properly, it helps to keep blood from pooling in the legs and feet. This can help to prevent problems such as varicose veins and deep vein thrombosis.
How can you keep the saphenous vein healthy?
There are many things you can do to keep your great saphenous vein healthy and functioning properly. Here are some tips:
- Wear compression stockings. This will help to keep the vein from becoming enlarged and will also help to reduce pain and discomfort.
- Elevate your legs when possible. This will help to reduce the pressure on the vein and will also help to reduce swelling.
- Exercise regularly. This will help to keep the vein strong and will also help to reduce the risk of developing blood clots.
- Avoid sitting or standing for long periods of time. This can increase the pressure on the vein and can also lead to swelling.
- Eat a healthy diet. This will help to keep your veins healthy and will also help to reduce the risk of developing blood clots.
- Maintain a healthy weight. This will help to reduce the pressure on the vein and will also help to reduce the risk of developing blood clots
Anatomy of Great saphenous vein: (Exam Question-Answer Type)
Question : Describe great saphenous vein under the following headings: (a) formation and course, (b) tributaries, (c)perforators, and (d) applied anatomy.
The great saphenous (in Greek saphês = effortlessly visible) vein is the longest vein of the body. It drains the venous blood from complete of lower extremity, besides the medial aspect of leg. It represents the preaxial vein of the lower limb.
Formation and route
It is formed on dorsum of the foot, through the union of medial end of dorsal venous arch and medial marginal vein of the foot. The vein runs upward in front of medial malleolus and crosses obliquely on medial surface of lower third of tibia. It ascends a little behind the medial border of tibia to reach knee approximately one hand’s breadth posterior to patella. Then, it runs alongside the medial facet of thigh to empty into the femoral vein after piercing cribriform fascia of saphenous establishing.
• Peculiarities: It comprise 10 to fifteen valves, which prevent backflow of venous blood. one of the valves is usually present at saphenofemoral junction.
• Perforating veins (perforators) connect this vein to the deep vein.
Saphenous vein Tributaries
- Medial marginal vein.
- Anterior leg vein
- Posterior arch vein of calf
- Posteromedial vein of thigh (accent vein)
- Anterior lateral vein of thigh
- Superficial epigastric vein
- Superficial circumflex iliac vein
- Superficial outside pudendal vein
- Deep external pudendal vein
Also, communicating vein to small saphenous vein.
Perforators
These are communicating channels that join the superficial long saphenous vein with the deep veins. They’re supplied with the valves that allow the go with the flow of blood most effective from superficial to deep veins.
Sites of perforators or Location of the perforators is fairly steady. These are:
- Adductor canal perforator, inside the lower part of adductor canal.
- Knee perforator, just below the knee, near the medial border of the tibia.
- Lateral ankle perforator, on the junction of middle and decrease 1/3rd of lateral leg.
- 3 medial angle perforators, near the medial border of the lower 1/3 of the tibia.
Applied anatomy
1.Varicose veins
These are dilated tortuous and enlarged veins commonly seen inside the lower limb. They often occur in people who are standing for long time (e.g. traffic police personnels). The valve inside perforators and one at saphenofemoral junction become incompetent. As a end result, the glide of the blood is reversed. The defective veins become ‘high pressure leaks’. therefore, the superficial veins become dilated and tortuous forming varicose veins. The blood is stagnated in the superficial veins inflicting gradual degeneration of their valves and subsequent formation of varicose ulcers.
2.Great saphenous vein graft
This vein is also usually used for arterial grafting in coronary artery bypass surgical operation. Due to the presence of valves, a segment of vein to be used for grafting is reversed.
Conclusion
This vein is an important vein in the human body. It is responsible for carrying blood from the legs back to the heart. Unfortunately, it is often not well understood by the general public. This article provided a brief overview of the great saphenous vein and its importance. We hope that by sharing this information, we can help reduce the gap between the medical community and the general public.
Do share it among your medical friends and everyone else so that everyone can understand the simple medical terms and help us reach our goal of saving 1,00,000 lives by the end of 2023 through this blog.