The Great Saphenous vein, also known as the Greater Saphenous vein, is one of the largest veins in your body. It is also referred to as the great saphenous artery and it runs from the knee to the groin.
The Great Saphenous vein transports blood back to the heart after it has been oxygenated by the lungs, making this vein an important part of your circulatory system.
In this article, we look at all things related to the Great Saphenous vein – its anatomy, function, risks, treatment, and more. So keep reading to learn more about your body and staying healthy.
What Is The Great Saphenous Vein?
The Great Saphenous vein is an important vein that runs from the knee to the groin. It is also known as the great saphenous artery. The main vein that runs through the knee and terminates in the foot is the Great Saphenous vein.
The Great Saphenous vein is the largest vein in the human body. It originates on the inside of the knee joint and runs towards the foot. It passes behind the medial malleolus and continues down the medial side of the ankle joint. It then passes behind the fibula and goes down the inside of the leg. It ends at the groin where it joins the femoral vein.
The Great Saphenous vein carries deoxygenated blood from the lower extremities to the heart. It is used in surgical procedures such as cosmetic surgery and varicose vein removal.
Anatomy of the Great Saphenous Vein
The Great Saphenous vein has an extensive anatomical course from the knee to the groin. It is usually a single vessel but sometimes it can be bifurcated into two parts.
The Great Saphenous vein begins behind the medial prominence of the knee joint. It is located on the medial side of the joint and travels down the leg. It passes behind the medial malleolus of the ankle joint and travels down the medial side of the ankle.
After traveling down the ankle, the Great Saphenous vein travels behind the fibula to the groin. Here it joins with the femoral vein to form the popliteal vein before continuing to the knee and the foot.
What is the Function of the Great Saphenous Vein?
The primary function of the Great Saphenous vein is to transport blood back to the heart. The veins in the body are responsible for transporting blood from the extremities to the heart.
The Great Saphenous vein begins near the knee joint and travels all the way down to the groin where it joins the femoral vein. From here, the blood is transported to the heart.
The Great Saphenous vein also plays a role in the formation of a blood clot. If a person gets a cut and blood starts flowing out, the blood in the vicinity of the cut clots to stop the flow of blood. The clot formation is aided by the Great Saphenous vein. The oxygenated blood in the Great Saphenous vein is blue in color and the deoxygenated blood in it is red. When doctors use a blue dye while performing a procedure in the vein, they can see it clearly and avoid cutting it.
Great Saphenous Vein Problems
If a clot forms inside the Great Saphenous vein, it can block the flow of blood and cause swelling. This is known as venous thrombosis. Clots can also form in the veins in the legs and feet. If this happens in the great saphenous vein, it can cause pain and swelling in your foot.
Other issues that can affect the Great Saphenous vein include varicose veins and hemorrhoids. These issues occur when the veins in the body become enlarged or twisted. There is also an increased risk of infections in the veins. This can be due to the presence of bacteria or an injury to the veins.
Treatment for Great Saphenous Vein Issues
If you have issues with the Great Saphenous vein, the first step in treatment is to treat the underlying cause. If you have varicose veins, you can undergo varicose vein treatment in order to get rid of them. You can also wear compression socks when you are travelling long distances to reduce the swelling in your feet. If you have a plug of blood in the vein, you can go to your doctor to get it removed. Your doctor may recommend that you take antibiotics to prevent an infection in the vein.
San Diego Vein Specialists
If you are concerned about your vein health, it’s worth seeing a vein specialist for a consultation.
If you suffer from varicose veins or spider veins, we typically will recommend considering having a procedure done to cure the problem altogether by getting rid of the veins. If you are considering treatment for your saphenous vein, contact Kafri Wellness Clinic to schedule an evaluation and get more information.
At Kafri Wellness Clinic, we have over 25+ years of experience working with patients to address vein issues. We also take into consideration a cardiovascular approach to your treatment to give you as much insight into your health as possible.
If you’d like to schedule a consultation to learn how we can help you, please contact us today!
