PAEA Surgery End Of Rotation (EOR) Practice Exam

Varicose veins most often occur in which type of veins?

1. Pulmonary veins

2. Saphenous veins

3. Femoral veins

4. Deep veins

The correct answer is: Saphenous veins

Varicose veins primarily develop in the saphenous veins, which are superficial veins located in the legs. These veins are more susceptible to becoming varicosed due to factors such as prolonged standing, age, hormonal changes, and lifestyle. Unlike deep veins, saphenous veins have a thinner wall structure and contain valves that can become incompetent, leading to the backflow of blood and increased pressure, which causes them to dilate and become tortuous. In contrast, the other types of veins listed have distinct anatomical and functional characteristics that make them less prone to varicosity. For example, pulmonary veins transport oxygenated blood from the lungs to the heart, while femoral veins are deeper veins that carry blood from the legs to the heart, generally being less affected by the kinds of pressure changes that lead to varicosity. Deep veins also feature a robust structure and have a more efficient mechanism for blood flow due to the surrounding muscle activity, which helps prevent the pooling of blood that can lead to varicose veins.