What are the three layers of blood vessels?
Tunica Intima, Tunica Media, Tunica Adventitia
What does ‘intima’ refer to in blood vessel anatomy?
Innermost layer
Which layer of blood vessels is composed of smooth muscle and elastic tissue?
Tunica Media
What is the outermost layer of blood vessels called?
Tunica Adventitia
What is unique about capillaries compared to other blood vessels?
They only have a single layer of tunica intima cells
What is a common clinical indication for performing a lower extremity venous duplex study?
Chronic or acute swelling
Name a type of vein that accompanies arteries in the lower extremity.
Deep Veins
List examples of deep veins in the lower extremity.
- Anterior Tibial (ATV)
- Posterior Tibial (PTV)
- Peroneal veins
- Popliteal vein
- Femoral vein
What is the longest vein in the human body?
Greater Saphenous Vein (GSV)
Where are superficial veins located in the lower extremity?
Within 2 cm under the skin in subcutaneous fat
What connects superficial veins to deep venous systems?
Perforating Veins
What is the function of venous valves?
Permit one-way blood flow and prevent retrograde flow
Where are venous valves most numerous?
Below the knee
The GSV has the most (10-12 ) on adverage
True or False: Venous valves are absent in common iliac veins and inferior vena cava (IVC).
True
What causes varicosities in veins?
Incompetent valves leading to retrograde flow and pooling
What are the normal characteristics of a lower extremity venous Doppler signal?
- Spontaneous flow
- Respiratory Phasicity
- Augmentation
What does distal compression during a Doppler study indicate if there is absent augmentation?
May indicate thrombus distal to the probe
What happens during proximal compression in a Doppler study?
Normal: Rebound increase in flow upon release
What anatomical structures form the Popliteal vein?
ATV, PTV, Peroneal veins
(calf veins)
What is the flow pathway from the Popliteal vein to the Inferior Vena Cava (IVC)?
Popliteal vein → Femoral vein → Common Femoral Vein (CFV) → External Iliac Vein (EIV) → Common Iliac Vein (CIVs) → Inferior Vena Cava (IVC)
What is the function of the Lesser Saphenous Vein (LSV)?
Drains into the popliteal vein
Fill in the blank: The _____ connects the LSV to the medial thigh.
Vein of Giacomini
What percentage of people may have a duplicated profunda (deep femoral) vein?
~30%
