Final answer:
Ankle and foot veins have several characteristics. The superior surface of the foot drains into the digital veins, while the inferior surface drains into the plantar veins. Blood supply drains into the anterior and posterior tibial veins.
Step-by-step explanation:
Ankle and foot veins have several characteristics. The superior surface of the foot drains into the digital veins, while the inferior surface drains into the plantar veins. These veins flow into a complex series of anastomoses in the feet and ankles, including the dorsal venous arch and the plantar venous arch.
From the dorsal venous arch, blood supply drains into the anterior and posterior tibial veins. The anterior tibial vein drains the area near the tibialis anterior muscle and combines with the posterior tibial vein and the fibular vein to form the popliteal vein.
The posterior tibial vein drains the posterior surface of the tibia and joins the popliteal vein. The fibular vein drains the muscles and integument near the fibula and also joins the popliteal vein. Additionally, the small saphenous vein located on the lateral surface of the leg drains blood from the superficial regions of the lower leg and foot, and flows into the popliteal vein. As the popliteal vein passes behind the knee in the popliteal region, it becomes the femoral vein. It is palpable in patients without excessive adipose tissue.