Glossary

Anatomical Vein Terms

Deep Leg Vein

Veins located deep within the thigh and leg that carry blood back to the heart.

What is a Phlebologist?

Phlebology is the medical specialty that deals with veins and vein-related disorders.

Great Saphenous Vein

A lengthy vein visible just in front of the anklebone. This vein runs along the inside of the leg and thigh (approximately half an inch beneath the skin in the thigh) until it joins the deep common femoral vein in the groin.

Perforating Vein

A vein that directly connects a superficial vein to a deep vein.

Popliteal Vein

The deep vein situated behind the knee. The small saphenous vein originates from the popliteal vein.

Small Saphenous Vein

A superficial vein that begins at the outside of the foot, ascends the back of the calf, and empties into the deep popliteal vein at the knee crease.

Spider Vein

A minute varicose vein, often blue or red in color, which does not protrude above the skin surface and resembles a spider. Commonly known as telangiectasias or telangiectatic veins. Slightly larger varicose veins that do not protrude above the skin are referred to as reticular veins.

Superficial Vein

Any vein in the lower extremities above the deep fascia covering the thigh and leg muscles.

Varicose Vein

An enlarged vein that bulges above the skin surface, typically measuring greater than one-fourth of an inch (6.4 mm) in diameter.

Terms for Functions of Veins

Competent Vein

A vein where blood flows in the correct direction back to the heart, also known as Having No Reflux or Normal Flow Direction.

Incompetent Vein

A vein where blood flows in the wrong direction, also known as a vein with reflux.

Reflux

The backward flow of blood in the veins.

Anatomical Vein Terms

Normal Blood Flow

After the blood is oxygenated in the lungs, the heart pumps it throughout the body. Blood sent to the lower extremities is returned to the heart, partially aided by the calf muscle pump. Returning blood flows through both deep and superficial veins, passing a series of one-way valves. These valves prevent blood from flowing backward in the veins.

Reflux

The valves in the veins should close as blood attempts to flow backward. If these valves fail to close properly, blood regresses through the poorly closing or leaking valves. Downstream veins, which lack protection from valves further upstream, bear the weight of an increasing column of blood. Unable to withstand this pressure, the downstream veins expand, taking on a snake-like appearance. This causes the veins to protrude through the skin surface, resulting in varicose veins.

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