Vessel
Great saphenous vein
Longest vein in the body
High-yield
Passes anterior to the medial malleolus (reliable cut-down/access site) and drains into the femoral vein at the saphenous opening. Harvested for bypass grafts.
Overview
The longest vein in the body, a superficial vein running the length of the medial lower limb from the foot to the femoral vein.
Reference facts
- Type
Vein (superficial)
- Origin
Dorsal venous arch of the foot
- Branches / tributaries
Receives numerous superficial tributaries in the thigh and leg
- Drains
Drains the superficial medial lower limb into the femoral vein
- Course
Ascends anterior to the medial malleolus, along the medial leg and thigh, to drain into the femoral vein at the saphenofemoral junction
Clinical correlation
A landmark for venous cut-down at the ankle and a common source of varicose veins and bypass grafts.