Lab 5 - Module 2 - Hip and Anterior Thigh - Muscles, Nerves and Vessels: Page 7 of 8

Fascia of the Thigh

Tap on image to enlarge

• Superficial layer is continuous with the superficial fascia of the abdomen.

• Between two layers of superficial fascia are superficial inguinal lymph nodes and great and small saphenous veins.

• Only the great saphenous vein is in the thigh because the small saphenous vein passes from the foot to the back of the knee (popliteal fossa) and empties into the popliteal vein.

• The deep fascia has a gap in it just inferior to the inguinal ligament over the femoral triangle. The great saphenous vein passes through this gap, the saphenous opening or ring, to reach the femoral vein into which it empties

Add the Saphenous Vein

• Begins at the medial end of the dorsal venous arch and passes anterior to the medial malleolus of the tibia; lies superficial to the medial epicondyle approximately 10 cm posterior to the medial border of the patella; perforates the femoral sheath to empty into the femoral vein.

• Note: When valves become incompetent they swell and become tortuous and are known as varicose veins. When valves do not work properly blood is allowed to reverse flow because of dilation or rotation of the veins. Great Saphenous Vein is a common area for varicose veins.

• In coronary bypass surgery the great saphenous vein is sometimes used as the graft. The vein is reversed so valve cusps do not obstruct blood flow. Newer techniques, though, using arteries, are decreasing usage of the great saphenous vein as a graft material.

• The saphenous nerve accompanies the great saphenous vein from the knee to the medial malleolus. The saphenous nerve is the only branch of the femoral nerve that passes distal to the knee joint and it is purely cutaneous.