Venous Anatomy

Question 1

another name for venous valves

Answer 1

bicuspid

Question 2

what is the function of venous valves

Answer 2

open and close, allowing unidirectional flow

Question 3

which veins do not have valves

Answer 3

SVC, IVC, innominate, soleal veins/sinuses, intracranial sinuses

Question 4

how many valves does the GSV have

Answer 4

10-20

Question 5

how many valves does the SSV have

Answer 5

6-12

Question 6

what vein has the most valves

Answer 6

GSV

Question 7

describe the superficial system

Answer 7

drains the skin and subcutaneous tissues, empty INTO the superficial truncal veins or directly into the deep system

lies in the superficial compartment

the superficial truncal veins lies in the saphenous compartment

empties into the deep system

Question 8

describe the perforating veins

Answer 8

perforate the fascia and connect the deep and superficial system

Question 9

describe the deep system

Answer 9

carries 85-90% of the blood out of the limb

lies in the deep muscular compartment

drains the muscular compartment and the superficial system via the perforating veins

Question 10

what are the two primary superficial TRUNCAL veins

Answer 10

GSV and SSV

Question 11

describe the GSV

Answer 11

longest vein of the body, ascends medially from the foot to the CF forming the saphenofemoral junction SFJ

has its own fascial compartment

Question 12

describe SSV

Answer 12

origin: dorsal venous arch, termination often the popliteal but highly variable

has it own fascial compartment

Question 13

describe AAGSV

Answer 13

origin - anterior thigh, termination often the greater saphenous vein

alignment sign - it aligns with the superficial femoral artery

Question 14

describe PAGSV

Answer 14

posterior accessory great saphenous vein

origin - posterior thigh, termination often the greater saphenous vein but variable

enlarges with pelvic congestion

often the leg source of posterior thigh varicosities

Question 15

describe epigastric vein

Answer 15

drains the skin of the lower abdomen

termination is often the common femoral, grater saphenous, or accessory saphenous

may serve as a collateral with IVC/iliac obstruction

Question 16

what is an important landmark for venous interventional procedures

Answer 16

superficial epigastric vein

Question 17

describe Giacomini vein

Answer 17

only vein that retains its eponym

it is an intersaphenous vein, it connects the SSV with the GSV

the persistence of this vein may play a contributory role in the development of chronic venous disease

important to eval. during duplex venous ultrasound to assess venous function

Question 18

describe Perforating vein

Answer 18

perforate the fascia and carry blood from superficial veins into the deep veins

Question 19

how many perforators are there and where are they located

Answer 19

femoral canal - dodd
paratibial perforators - boyd, sherman
posterior tibial perforator - cockett
medial ankle perforators

Question 20

define venae comitantes

Answer 20

a pair of veins, occasionally more, that closely accompany an artery

Question 21

describe peroneal vein

Answer 21

formed by confluence of venules

drains blood from posterior lateral compartment of leg

often unites as a single vein prior to joining the posterior tibial vein

Question 22

describe posterior tibial vein

Answer 22

formed from the plantar metatarsal veins

ascends from the medial ankle along the medial calf

drains the posterior medial compartment of the accompanied PTA

often unites as a single vein (forming a trunk) prior to joining the peroneal veins

Question 23

describe anterior tibial vein

Answer 23

formed from the continuation of the dorsalis pedis vein

ascends through the anterior compartment of the leg from the ankle to the knee along the interosseous membrane

joins the PTVs then joins the pop vein

Question 24

describe gastrocnemius vein

Answer 24

paired vein sets (medial and lateral) within the gastrocnemius muscle of the calf, companion artery, join the popliteal vein

Question 25

describe soleal vein

Answer 25

within soleus muscle, drain into the calf

may not be readily evident when empty. dilate with thrombus, no paired artery

Question 26

describe lower extremity venous sinuses

Answer 26

dilated veins segments in soleal, gastrocnemius muscles

drains blood into PTV, pero v

a major component of the calf muscle pump

Question 27

describe popliteal vein

Answer 27

formed by union of ATV and tibial-peroneal trunk

Question 28

describe femoral vein

Answer 28

continuation of the popliteal vein and terminates into femoral vein as it passes through the adductor hiatus

ascends through the thigh to the groin, companion vein of the SFA, terminates in Scarpa’s triangle, may be duplicated

Question 29

describe CFV

Answer 29

formed by the confluence of PFV and FV. below the bifurcation of the CFA

Question 30

describe external iliac vein

Answer 30

CFV becomes the EIV as it passes beneath the inguinal ligament

ascends from the groin with its companion artery

Question 31

describe internal iliac vein

Answer 31

ascends through the pelvis with its companion artery

joins external iliac to form common iliac vein and drains the pelvis

Question 32

describe common iliac vein

Answer 32

formed from confluence of EIV and IIV

ascends through the pelvis and joins the contralateral CIV near the navel

Question 33

describe IVC

Answer 33

formed by the confluence of the common iliac veins

commonly at the level of 5th lumbar vertebrae

penetrate the diaphragm and terminates in the right atrium

Question 34

describe portal vein

Answer 34

formed by the confluence of superior mesenteric and splenic veins

drains the abdominal digestive tract, pancreas, spleen, and gallbladder

carries 80% of blood into liver

Question 35

describe hepatic vein

Answer 35

drains the liver

empties into IVC

carries blood away from liver (hepato-fugal)

Question 36

describe basilic vein

Answer 36

empties the medial aspect of the arm

joins the brachial vein from the axillary vein

can be harvested for bypass conduit

Question 37

describe cephalic vein

Answer 37

empties the lateral aspect of the arm

joins the axillary vein to form the subclavian vein

can be harvested for bypass conduit

Question 38

describe radial vein

Answer 38

formed by the confluence of the venules, deep palmar arch

empties the lateral hand and forearm

Question 39

describe ulnar veins

Answer 39

formed by the confluence of the venules and the superficial palmar arch

empties the medial hand and forearm

Question 40

describe brachial vein

Answer 40

formed by confluence of the radial and ulnar veins

Question 41

describe axillary vein

Answer 41

formed by the confluence of the brachial veins and basilic vein (superficial vein)

Question 42

describe subclavian vein

Answer 42

formed by confluence of the axillary vein and cephalic vein (superficial vein)

Question 43

describe innominate vein (also called brachiocephalic vein)

Answer 43

formed by the confluence of the subclavian vein and internal julgar veins

remember there is a right and left innominate vein. and ONE innominate artery

Question 44

describe IJV

Answer 44

collects blood from brain, face and neckde

Question 45

describe intracranial venous sinus

Answer 45

drains blood into IJV

Question 46

describe superior vena cava

Answer 46

formed by the confluence of the innominate veins

drains the head, neck and upper extremities

terminates in the right atrium

Question 47

describe inferior vena cava

Answer 47

formed by the confluence of the common iliac veins

drains the lower half of the body

terminates in the right atrium