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Abstract

Objective:

To measure the distribution of valves in the long saphenous vein.

Design:

Morphological study of the intervalvular distance of the long saphenous vein.

Setting:

Department of Morfología, Facultad de Ciencias de la Salud (Universidad de Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, Spain) and Academic Vascular Surgery Unit, St Mary's Hospital, London, UK.

Material:

Twenty lower extremities from adult cadavers with no evidence of lower limb venous disease.

Methods:

Anatomical dissection of the long saphenous vein, with accurate measurement of valve distribution.

Results:

There were on average 8.7 valves in the long saphenous vein, with 6.3 above the knee and 2.4 below the knee.

Conclusion:

Contrary to classical anatomical texts on this subject there are more valves in the long saphenous vein in the thigh than in the calf.

Keywords

Anthropometric measurement Long saphenous vein anatomy Superficial venous system Valvular arrangement

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Morphological Study of the Valvular Distribution in the Long Saphenous Vein