The saphenous hiatus (saphenous opening) is an oval defect in the fascia lata in the anterior upper thigh through which the great saphenous vein passes to join the femoral vein. It is covered by the cribriform fascia, which is pierced by the saphenous vein, lymphatic vessels, and small superficial arteries.
| Location | Oval opening in the fascia lata about 3-4 cm below and lateral to the pubic tubercle |
|---|---|
| Boundaries |
|
| Contents |
|
Lets the great saphenous vein pass through the deep fascia to join the femoral vein. It is the landmark for saphenofemoral junction surgery and endovenous treatment.
The saphenous hiatus is the landmark for the saphenofemoral junction (SFJ) in varicose vein surgery and endovenous ablation. The SFJ lies 3-4 cm below and lateral to the pubic tubercle. Incompetence at the SFJ is the most common cause of great saphenous varicosities. The hiatus is also the site where a saphena varix presents as a femoral swelling with a cough impulse.
Reflux at the saphenous hiatus causing great saphenous varicosities, detected by duplex ultrasound showing reversed flow at the SFJ during Valsalva, treated by high ligation, stripping, or endovenous ablation.
This website uses cookies to enhance your experience. Some are essential for site functionality, while others help us analyze and improve your usage experience. Please review your options and make your choice.
If you are under 16 years old, please ensure that you have received consent from your parent or guardian for any non-essential cookies.
Your privacy is important to us. You can adjust your cookie settings at any time. For more information about how we use data, please read our privacy policy. You may change your preferences at any time by clicking on the settings button below.
Note that if you choose to disable some types of cookies, it may impact your experience of the site and the services we are able to offer.
Some required resources have been blocked, which can affect third-party services and may cause the site to not function properly.
This website uses cookies to enhance your browsing experience and ensure the site functions properly. By continuing to use this site, you acknowledge and accept our use of cookies.
