saphenous vein

noun

: either of two chiefly superficial veins of the leg:

a

: one originating in the foot and passing up the medial side of the leg and through the saphenous opening to join the femoral vein

called also great saphenous vein, long saphenous vein

b

: one originating similarly and passing up the back of the leg to join the popliteal vein at the knee

called also short saphenous vein, small saphenous vein