Overview Deep perforating veins from dorsal venous arch form anterior tibial vein medial and lateral plantar veins form posterior tibial and fibular veins anterior tibial, posterior tibial, fibular veins combine to form popliteal vein at knee popliteal vein becomes femoral vein - major deep vein of lower extremity deep vein of thigh joins terminal section of femoral vein external iliac vein - once femoral vein passes under inguinal ligament Superficial veins dorsal venous arch gives rise to great saphenous vein on medial side of foot great saphenous vein ascends up medial side of leg, passes anteriorly to medial malleolus at ankle and posteriorly to medial condyle at knee drains into femoral vein distal to inguinal ligament dorsal venous arch gives rise to small saphenous vein on lateral side of foot small saphenous vein ascends on posterior side of leg, passes posterior to lateral malleolus along lateral border of calcaneal tendon moves between two heads of gastrocnemius muscle and drains into popliteal vein in politeal fossa Clinical Relevance Varicose veins valves of superficial veins become incompetent, resulting in dilation of superficial veins Great saphenous vein harvesting frequently performed for coronary artery bypass procedures and peripheral arterial bypass procedures