Nomenclature of the veins of the lower limbs - current standards

Abstract

With growing knowledge of morphology and pathophysiology of varicosis, the relative deficiency of the official Terminologica anatomica with regard to the veins of the lower limbs attracted attention. An incorrect and misleading nomenclature was responsible for clinical complications, missing denotation and even wrong treatments. These circumstances caused an urgent need for a revised revision of the nomenclature. In 2001, an international interdisciplinary committee updated and refined the nomenclature of the limbs. While the new nomenclature has been accepted international in scientific studies, there are still uncertainties in clinical practice. This review refers to clinical relevant changes. A uniform and unmistakable anatomic nomenclature is the basis for a uniform language in the phlebologic fields of science and clinical practice. Misleading designations and deficits of communication put the correct diagnostics at risk and provoke mistakes of treatment.