Great saphenous vein
Latin: Vena saphena magna sinistra
Location: Leg
Paired structure: one on the left and one on the right side of the body.
View the great saphenous vein in 3DCourse
The body's longest vein: rises anterior to the left medial malleolus, ascends the medial calf and thigh in its own fascial sleeve, and pierces the cribriform fascia at the saphenofemoral junction to join the femoral vein.
Drains
The medial leg and thigh's superficial system; communicates with the deep system through perforators.
Clinical relevance
Varicose veins — the failed valves of heredity, pregnancy and standing professions; the vein harvested (reversed) for coronary bypass, and cut down above the medial malleolus for emergency venous access in children. The saphenous nerve's company explains numbness after stripping.
Related conditions
Educational anatomy reference, not medical advice. About this content.