RadEssentialReading-room reference
Extremity vascular anatomy
Figures · click to enlarge
Named vessels in order, for runoff CTA and venous duplex reports.
Lower extremity arteries
| Segment | Vessels |
|---|---|
| Inflow | Abdominal aorta → common iliac → external iliac (internal iliac to pelvis) |
| Thigh | Common femoral → superficial femoral and profunda femoris |
| Knee | Popliteal (above-knee, below-knee segments) |
| Leg | Anterior tibial; tibioperoneal trunk → posterior tibial and peroneal |
| Foot | Dorsalis pedis (from anterior tibial); medial and lateral plantar (from posterior tibial) |
Lower extremity veins
| Group | Vessels |
|---|---|
| Deep | Common femoral, femoral, deep femoral, popliteal; paired anterior tibial, posterior tibial and peroneal veins; gastrocnemius and soleal veins |
| Superficial | Great saphenous (joins common femoral at the saphenofemoral junction); small saphenous (usually joins popliteal) |
Upper extremity veins
| Group | Vessels |
|---|---|
| Deep | Paired radial, ulnar and brachial veins → axillary → subclavian → brachiocephalic |
| Superficial | Cephalic (into axillary); basilic (joins brachial to form axillary); median cubital connecting the two |
"Superficial femoral vein" is a deep vein. Report it as the femoral vein so a thrombus there is not mistaken for superficial thrombophlebitis.
Sources
- Caggiati A, Bergan JJ, Gloviczki P, et al. Nomenclature of the veins of the lower limbs: an international interdisciplinary consensus statement. J Vasc Surg. 2002;36:416–422.PubMed ↗
Radessential summarizes published classification systems for practicing radiologists. Summaries are condensed; confirm details against the cited source before relying on them for patient care.