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

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

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. This vein presents a great number of variants concerning the point where it drains:

Usually drains into the popliteal vein approximately at or above the level of the knee joint.

Is not rare to see the short saphenous vein joining the common gastrocnemius vein before drain in the popliteal vein.

Sometimes doesn't contact with the popliteal vein but go up to drain in the great saphenous vein at a variable level.

Instead draining in the popliteal vein it can merge with Giacomini's vein and drain in the GSV at the superior 1/3 of the thigh.^[1]

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