Nomenclature of the veins of the lower: an international interdisciplinary consensus statement

An agreement upon anatomical terminology is the foundation for a common language in medical science because it facilitates effective exchange of informations. A thorough review of the literature has shown need for revision and extension of the official Terminologia Anatomica with regard to the veins of the lower limb. The origins of this consensus document were outlined by the faculty at a meeting held in Rome, on September 8-9, 2001, at the occasion of the 14th World Congress of the International Union of Phlebology (IUP), under the auspices of the IUP, the International Federation of Anatomical Association (IFAA) and the Federative International Committee for Anatomical Nomenclature (FICAT). Taking into account the past practice of FICAT, the official names of some veins have been changed. In addition, previously unnamed veins have received names relevant to their anatomy and clinical significance. Some of the terminological recommendations are innovative, but were judged to be correct by members of the committee.