open access

Vol 72, No 1 (2013)
Original article
Submitted: 2012-10-23
Accepted: 2012-10-28
Published online: 2013-03-04
Get Citation

Variations in popliteal fossa venous anatomy: implications for diagnosis of deep-vein thrombosis

A. Sadowska, J. H. Spodnik, S. Wójcik
DOI: 10.5603/FM.2013.0008
·
Folia Morphol 2013;72(1):51-56.

open access

Vol 72, No 1 (2013)
ORIGINAL ARTICLES
Submitted: 2012-10-23
Accepted: 2012-10-28
Published online: 2013-03-04

Abstract

Background: To retrospectively review the bilateral venous system within the popliteal fossa to evaluate the types of variations and their frequency seen in venous anatomy.

Materials and methods: During routine dissection of formalin-fixed cadavers, a retrospective review of 32 bilateral (64 limbs) lower limbs obtained from adult donors was performed. Deep veins present in the popliteal fossa were evaluated according to predetermined criteria for the presence of duplication of vessels and interindividual variations in venous anatomy.

Results: More than one deep venous vessel was seen in the popliteal fossa in 20 (31.3%) of 64 limbs. In 12 (18.7%) cases there was a high (just below the level of the adductor hiatus) origin of the popliteal vein: from 2 tributaries in 10 (15.6%) and 3 tributaries in 2 (3.1%). In 5 (7.8%) cases true duplicated popliteal veins were observed. There were also 3 (4.7%) cases, including one bilateral, of persistent sciatic vein.


Conclusions: Variations in popliteal fossa venous anatomy are common and have important implications for the diagnosis of deep vein thrombosis.

Abstract

Background: To retrospectively review the bilateral venous system within the popliteal fossa to evaluate the types of variations and their frequency seen in venous anatomy.

Materials and methods: During routine dissection of formalin-fixed cadavers, a retrospective review of 32 bilateral (64 limbs) lower limbs obtained from adult donors was performed. Deep veins present in the popliteal fossa were evaluated according to predetermined criteria for the presence of duplication of vessels and interindividual variations in venous anatomy.

Results: More than one deep venous vessel was seen in the popliteal fossa in 20 (31.3%) of 64 limbs. In 12 (18.7%) cases there was a high (just below the level of the adductor hiatus) origin of the popliteal vein: from 2 tributaries in 10 (15.6%) and 3 tributaries in 2 (3.1%). In 5 (7.8%) cases true duplicated popliteal veins were observed. There were also 3 (4.7%) cases, including one bilateral, of persistent sciatic vein.


Conclusions: Variations in popliteal fossa venous anatomy are common and have important implications for the diagnosis of deep vein thrombosis.

Get Citation

Keywords

popliteal vein; sciatic vein; anatomy variations

About this article
Title

Variations in popliteal fossa venous anatomy: implications for diagnosis of deep-vein thrombosis

Journal

Folia Morphologica

Issue

Vol 72, No 1 (2013)

Article type

Original article

Pages

51-56

Published online

2013-03-04

Page views

1976

Article views/downloads

5896

DOI

10.5603/FM.2013.0008

Bibliographic record

Folia Morphol 2013;72(1):51-56.

Keywords

popliteal vein
sciatic vein
anatomy variations

Authors

A. Sadowska
J. H. Spodnik
S. Wójcik

Regulations

Important: This website uses cookies. More >>

The cookies allow us to identify your computer and find out details about your last visit. They remembering whether you've visited the site before, so that you remain logged in - or to help us work out how many new website visitors we get each month. Most internet browsers accept cookies automatically, but you can change the settings of your browser to erase cookies or prevent automatic acceptance if you prefer.

By VM Media Group sp. z o.o., Grupa Via Medica, Świętokrzyska 73, 80–180 Gdańsk, Poland

tel.: +48 58 320 94 94, faks: +48 58 320 94 60, e-mail: viamedica@viamedica.pl