saphenous vein

sa·phe·nous vein   (sə-fē'nəs)    n.  Either of two main superficial veins of the leg, one larger than the other, that begin at the foot. [saphenous, pertaining to the saphena, a saphenous vein, from Middle English, from Medieval Latin saphēna, saphenous vein, from Arabic ṣāfin, standing with one leg slightly raised, saphena, participle of ṣafana, to stand with one leg slightly raised.]

Main Entry: saphenous vein
Function: noun
: either of two chief superficial veins of the leg: a : one originating in the foot and passing up the medialside 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 passingup the back of the leg to join the popliteal vein at the knee called also short saphenous vein, small saphenous vein

saphenous vein   (sə-fē'nəs)  Pronunciation Key  Either of two main superficial veins of the leg, one larger than the other, that begin at the foot. A portion of the larger saphenous vein is often used in surgery for coronary artery bypass graft.