saphenous vein

noun

, Anatomy.

1. either of two large veins near the surface of the foot, leg, and thigh, one on the inner side and the other on the outer and posterior sides.

saphenous vein

/ sə-fē′nəs /

1. Either of two main superficial veins of the leg, one larger than the other, that begin at the foot. A portion of the larger saphenous vein is often used in surgery for coronary artery bypass graft.

Word History and Origins

Origin of saphenous vein¹

First recorded in 1830–40

Example Sentences

Opening the sciatic vein relieved podagra and elephantiasis; menstrual problems were alleviated by cutting the saphenous vein.

From The New Yorker

When Woods was 18 he had surgery on his left knee, to remove two cysts on his saphenous vein.

From The Guardian

When she was pregnant with her first child, she liked the “Nile beauty mark” of the saphenous vein running down her inner right calf, rising with her belly.

From The New Yorker

Either saphenous veins in patients’ legs, the internal thoracic arteries in their chest wall or parts of both are used to create the bypass graft.

From US News

For severe cases, however, the standard treatment is to remove the vein with surgery -- also known as high ligation and saphenous vein stripping.

From Reuters