title: Giacomini's observations on the superficial veins of the abdominal limb and principally the external saphenous.
abstract: Carlo Giacomini, later Professor of Anatomy at the University of Turin, Italy, presented a thesis on superficial and deep lower limb venous anatomy in July 1873. This resulted in his name being associated with a vein that he described in detail that passes up deep to the fascia on the back of the thigh. However, the precise nature of his detailed and insightful observations have not previously been presented, at least for the past century. The Authors were able to find and translate the original manuscript, and the first section on the superficial veins is presented here. Giacomini documented the several variations in the origin and terminations, and anterograde and retrograde flow in this vein that have only recently been rediscovered by duplex ultrasound scanning. Much can be learned from his descriptions by all who are involved in treating chronic venous disease.
authors.affiliation: Department of Angiology, Latina, Italy. georgiev@panservice.it
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Georgiev
authors.forename: K A
authors.initials: KA
authors.lastname: Myers
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Belcaro
mesh_terms: D000715:Anatomy / Q000266:history; D049672:History, 19th Century; D006801:Humans; D007558:Italy; D012501:Saphenous Vein / Q000033:anatomy & histology*; D014689:Venous Insufficiency / Q000266:history* / Q000473:pathology