Information on the changes in the revised anatomical nomenclature of the lower limb veins.

BACKGROUND Two consensus documents have appeared which revised the anatomical nomenclature of the venous system of the lower extremity. They changed and substantially extended the last valid version of the Latin anatomical nomenclature, Terminologia Anatomica, published by the Federative Committee on Anatomical Terminology, with approval of the International Federation of Associations of Anatomists, in 1998. The clinicians felt the need to adjust the terminology in order to better serve their purposes and to serve as a relevant theoretical base for correct diagnostic and appropriate treatment. First a consensus was made to expand and complete the nomenclature of the lower limb venous system during the 14th World Congress of the International Union of Phlebology in 2001. Another consensus was made again three years later, during 21st World Congress of the International Union of Angiology, under the auspices of Federative Committee on Anatomical Terminology and International Federation of Associations of Anatomists. METHODS AND RESULTS The articles were compiled with the emphasis on the Latin terminology. Review of the original articles concerning the arrangement, variability and different nomenclature was performed thoroughly. The both documents comprise 89 terms of the veins of the lower extremity in both Latin and English. CONCLUSION The clinicians, anatomists, and university teachers should follow the new extended anatomical nomenclature of the lower limb veins. The precise anatomical terminology can serve for diagnostic, treatment, and scientific purposes not only in the anatomy and angiology.