Anatomy of the venous and nervous system of the lower limb
Authors:
D. Trachtová; D. Kachlík
Authors‘ workplace:
Přednosta: prof. MUDr. David Kachlík, Ph. D.
; 2. lékařská fakulta
; Ústav anatomie
; Univerzita Karlova v Praze
Published in:
Prakt. Lék. 2022; 102(5): 228-240
Category:
Reviews
Overview
The venous system of the lower limbs consists of two interconnected units. A deep venous system, the course of which mimics the arterial supply and flows into the pelvic veins, and a superficial venous system, consisting of the vena saphena magna et vena saphena parva, between which there exist numerous variable comunnications. The superficial and deep systems are interconnected by venous perforators. When the perforators are non-functional, venous varices develop. Superficial veins are accompanied by cutaneous nerves. The course of structures shows considerable variability, which is still under investigation. The vena saphena magn is accompanied along the leg by the nervus saphenus, which innervates skin on the ventromedial aspect of the leg. Injury to the nervus saphenus manifests by loss of sensitivity or hyperesthesia, which is very uncomfortable for the patients. Vena saphena parva runs together with the nervus suralis, which serves for neural grafts during reconstruction surgery.
Keywords:
lower limb – peripheral nervous system – superficial veins – superficial nerves – cutaneous nerves
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