Small saphenous vein

The origin of the small saphenous vein (SSV) is where the dorsal vein from the fifth digit (smallest toe) merges with the dorsal venous arch of the foot, which attaches to the great saphenous vein (GSV). It is a superficial vein, being subcutaneous (just under the skin).

From its origin, it courses around the lateral aspect of the foot (inferior and posterior to the lateral malleolus) and runs along the posterior aspect of the leg (with the sural nerve), where it passes between the heads of the gastrocnemius muscle.{{Citation|last=Ricci|first=Stefano|title=1 - Anatomy|date=2017-01-01|url=http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/B9780323377263000010|work=Sclerotherapy (Sixth Edition)|pages=1–26|editor-last=Goldman|editor-first=Mitchel P.|publisher=Elsevier|language=en|doi=10.1016/b978-0-323-37726-3.00001-0|isbn=978-0-323-37726-3|access-date=2020-11-19|editor2-last=Weiss|editor2-first=Robert A.}}{{Citation|last1=Myers|first1=KENNETH|title=CHAPTER 32 - Treatment of Small Saphenous Vein Reflux|date=2007-01-01|url=http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/B9780123695154500351|work=The Vein Book|pages=291–298|editor-last=Bergan|editor-first=John J.|place=Burlington|publisher=Academic Press|language=en|doi=10.1016/b978-012369515-4/50035-1|isbn=978-0-12-369515-4|access-date=2020-11-19|last2=Clough|first2=AMY}} This vein presents a number of different draining points. Usually, it drains into the popliteal vein, at or above the level of the knee joint.

Sometimes, the SSV joins the common gastrocnemius vein before draining in the popliteal vein.

Sometimes, it does not make contact with the popliteal vein, but goes up to drain in the GSV at a variable level.

Instead of draining in the popliteal vein, it can merge with the Giacomini vein and drain in the GSV at the superior 1/3 of the thigh.{{cite web |url=http://www.veinsurg.com/fr/biblio/echodoppler/echodoppler_15.php |title=VEINSURG - Duplex Ultrasound Investigation of the Veins in Chronic Venous Disease of the Lower Limbs-UIP Consensus Document. Part II. Anatomy |access-date=2013-02-10 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130626214149/http://www.veinsurg.com/fr/biblio/echodoppler/echodoppler_15.php |archive-date=2013-06-26 }}

The small saphenous vein may become varicose.{{Citation|last1=Kalra|first1=Manju|title=chapter 44 - Surgical Treatment of Varicose Veins|date=2009-01-01|url=http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/B9780323057264000469|work=Comprehensive Vascular and Endovascular Surgery (Second Edition)|pages=756–770|editor-last=Hallett|editor-first=John W.|place=Philadelphia|publisher=Mosby|language=en|doi=10.1016/b978-0-323-05726-4.00046-9|isbn=978-0-323-05726-4|access-date=2020-11-25|last2=Gloviczki|first2=Peter|editor2-last=Mills|editor2-first=Joseph L.|editor3-last=Earnshaw|editor3-first=Jonothan J.|editor4-last=Reekers|editor4-first=Jim A.}} In 20% of cases, this is associated with chronic venous insufficiency.{{Citation|last1=Goldman|first1=Mitchel P.|title=11 - Intravascular Approaches to the Treatment of Varicose Veins: Radiofrequency, Lasers and More|date=2017-01-01|url=http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/B9780323377263000113|work=Sclerotherapy (Sixth Edition)|pages=347–364|editor-last=Goldman|editor-first=Mitchel P.|publisher=Elsevier|language=en|doi=10.1016/b978-0-323-37726-3.00011-3|isbn=978-0-323-37726-3|access-date=2020-11-25|last2=Guex|first2=Jean-Jérôme|editor2-last=Weiss|editor2-first=Robert A.}} Vein stripping is an effective treatment.

The small saphenous vein may be harvested for transplant to elsewhere in the body, such as in coronary artery bypass surgery.{{Citation|last1=Jimenez|first1=Juan Carlos|title=Chapter 72 - Endoscopic Vein Harvest|date=2011-01-01|url=http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/B9781416062080100722|work=Endovascular Surgery (Fourth Edition)|pages=745–750|editor-last=Moore|editor-first=Wesley S.|place=Philadelphia|publisher=W.B. Saunders|language=en|doi=10.1016/b978-1-4160-6208-0.10072-2|isbn=978-1-4160-6208-0|access-date=2020-11-25|last2=Smith|first2=Joshua C.|editor2-last=Ahn|editor2-first=Samuel S.}} Endoscopic vein harvesting can be used to extract the vein from the leg minimally invasively.

• Compression stockings
• Great saphenous vein
• Popliteal fossa

File:Gray440 color.png|Cross-section through middle of leg

File:Gray836.png|Nerves of the dorsum of the foot

File:Blausen 0609 LegVeins.png|Veins of the leg

{{Reflist}}

• [https://web.archive.org/web/20070208131137/http://www.pdn.cam.ac.uk/teaching/part1a/1a_fab/session_2_15.htm Illustration at pdn.cam.ac.uk]

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Category:Veins of the lower limb