A Clinical classification of the anatomy of the perforating veins of the leg

Summary

A total of twenty-two perforating veins associated with the long and short saphenous systems have been described and may be classified as follows:

• (a) Medial

• 1. Usually four in number.

• 2. Usually associated with the posterior arch vein and draining into the posterior tibial vein.

• (b) Anterior

• 1. From two to five numbered.

• 2. Usually associated with the anterior branch of the long saphenous and lie close to the anterior margin of the tibia and drain into the anterior tibial vein.

• (c) Lateral

• 1. Usually four in number.

• 2. Associated with branches of the short saphenous vein and drain into the peroneal veins.

• (d) Posterior

• 1. Usually two, possibly three.

• 2. Associated with the superficial communicators, joining the long and short saphenous and drain into the venous sinuses in the soleus muscle.

• (e) Hunterian Perforators

• 1. The lowest of these, truly belonging to the genicular plexus, is associated with the middle and upper Hunterian to make a total of at least three and drain into the femoral veins.