The primary function of the great saphenous vein is to return deoxygenated blood from the lower leg and thigh back to the heart. As blood circulates through the body, it loses oxygen and picks up carbon dioxide and other waste products. The great saphenous vein facilitates this return journey by serving as a pathway for blood, working alongside a network of perforating veins that connect it to deeper venous structures. This vein also plays a role in maintaining venous pressure and preventing backflow, aided by the presence of one-way valves positioned along its length. In addition, it can be used medically for grafting procedures in bypass surgery due to its accessibility and size, demonstrating its importance beyond mere circulation.
The great saphenous vein is positioned superficially in the lower limb. It starts at the dorsal venous arch of the foot on the medial side, ascends along the inner ankle, and travels up the medial aspect of the leg. As it approaches the knee, it continues its course upwards along the inner thigh, passing behind the knee and extending toward the groin. At the femoral triangle, it perforates the deep fascia and empties into the femoral vein, which is located deep to the sartorius muscle. Its accessibility and proximity to the skin surface make it a common site for medical intervention.