Blood clots in the upper and lower leg veins
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Blood clots in the upper and lower leg veins
The deep veins of the leg have different terms to describe their location:
- Upper (proximal) leg veins are those above the knee but below the waist.
- Popliteal veins are located behind the knee.
- Iliac and femoral veins are in the groin area.
- Lower (distal) leg veins are those below the knee.
- Distal leg veins are located in the calf and ankle.
A person with a blood clot in a deep upper (proximal) leg vein is at increased risk for a blood clot in the lung (pulmonary embolism) or other complications.
Credits
| Author | Shannon Erstad, MBA/MPH |
| Editor | Kathleen M. Ariss, MS |
| Associate Editor | Pat Truman |
| Primary Medical Reviewer | Caroline S. Rhoads, MD - Internal Medicine |
| Specialist Medical Reviewer | Jeffrey S. Ginsberg, MD - Hematology |
| Last Updated | February 13, 2007 |
| Last updated: | February 13, 2007 |
|---|---|
| Author: | Shannon Erstad, MBA/MPH |
| Reviewed By: | Caroline S. Rhoads, MD - Internal Medicine, Jeffrey S. Ginsberg, MD - Hematology |
| Editors: | Kathleen M. Ariss, MS, Pat Truman |
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