Venous drainage of the lower limb

The anatomy of the venous drainage of the lower limbs is extremely variable. However, there is order in the variability. The veins of the lower extremities are arranged in three systems: the superficial, the deep, and the perforating venous systems. These are located in two main compartments: the superficial compartment and the deep compartment of the lower limb.

Superficial venous system

• dorsal venous arch and the dorsal vein of the great toe
• medial marginal vein
• great saphenous vein
  • dorsal venous plexus
• small saphenous vein
  • vein of Giacomini

Deep venous system

• common femoral vein
  • femoral vein
    • deep femoral vein
    • popliteal vein
      • peroneal vein
      • posterior tibial vein
      • anterior tibial vein

Perforating venous system

See full article here: perforating veins of the lower limb

• perforators of the foot
• perforators of the ankle
• perforators of the leg
• perforators of the knee
• perforators of the knee
• perforators of the gluteal muscles