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Small saphenous vein

Vein: Small saphenous vein

Small saphenous vein and its tributaries. (Small saphenous vein labeled vertically at center.)
Latin	vena saphena parva
Gray's	subject #173 670
Source	dorsal venous arch of the foot
Drains to	popliteal vein
Dorlands/Elsevier	v_05/12851681

The small saphenous vein (also lesser saphenous vein), is a relatively large vein of the superficial posterior leg.

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Path

Its origin 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. It is a considered a superficial vein and is 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), passes between the heads of the gastrocnemius muscle, and drains into the popliteal vein, approximately at or above the level of the knee joint.

Additional images

v • d • e Veins of lower limbs
thigh	femoral • profunda femoris • popliteal
deep leg	fibular • anterior tibial • posterior tibial
superficial leg	small saphenous • great saphenous (external pudendal, superficial of penis ♂/clitoris ♀)
foot	dorsal arch • dorsal metatarsal • dorsal digital • plantar arch • plantar metatarsal • common digital • plantar digital