noun
: either of two chief superficial veins of the leg: as
a. : one originating in the foot and passing up the medial side of the leg and through the saphenous opening to join the femoral vein — called also internal saphenous vein, long saphenous vein
b. : one originating similarly and passing up the back of the leg to join the popliteal at the knee — called also external saphenous vein, short saphenous vein