Saphenous Vein
/səˈfiː.nəs veɪn/noun
A major superficial vein running along the lower limb, especially the great saphenous vein from the foot to the groin.
Did you know?Saphenous comes from Ancient Greek saphēnēs, meaning “clear” or “manifest,” because the vein was conspicuous enough to be recognized through the skin.
Etymological Timeline
Ancient Greek
Greek
saphēnēs
“Clear, evident, manifest”
Hellenistic Greek
Greek
saphēna
“A clearly visible vein”
Late Antiquity
Greek
saphēnēs phleps
“The evident or conspicuous vein”
Medieval Latin
Latin
saphena
“A superficial, visible vein of the leg”
17th Century
New Latin
vena saphena
“The saphena vein”
Modern English
English
saphenous vein
“A superficial vein of the lower limb”