Pathophysiology of Venous Thromboembolism with Respect to the Anatomical Features of the Deep Veins of Lower Limbs: A Review

Figures

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  Fig. 1 Clinical characteristics and classification of deep vein thrombosis (from ref. 6, Fig. 11).

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  Fig. 2 A representative autopsy case of calf deep vein thrombosis. The popliteal vein and three crural branches are present. The vein is full of thrombus, and the valves are easily observed. The soleal and gastrocnemius veins run inside their respective muscles.

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  Fig. 3 A representative autopsy case of soleal vein thrombosis. (a) After narrow removal of the surrounding soleal muscle. The dilated soleal vein with thrombi is present. (b) After broad removal of the surrounding muscle of (a). The complicated running course of the soleal vein can be observed. (c) Schema of the running of the soleal vein (indicated by brown).

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  Fig. 4 Anatomical features of the gastrocnemius muscle, soleus muscle, gastrocnemius vein, and soleal vein.

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  Fig. 5 Difference in hemodynamics during muscle contractions between the gastrocnemius and soleal veins.

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  Fig. 6 Difference in the anatomical structure between the gastrocnemius and soleal veins.

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  Fig. 7 Distribution and chronology of deep vein thrombosis in eight deep venous segments of 189 limbs, and the suspected mechanism of venous thromboembolism, resulting in lethal pulmonary thromboembolism (from ref. 1, Fig. 2).

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  Fig. 8 Suspected mechanism of venous thromboembolism, resulting in lethal pulmonary thromboembolism (from ref. 1, Fig. S).

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  Fig. 9 Fate of the deep vein thrombosis.

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  Fig. 10 Mechanism of thrombus propagation in fatal pulmonary thromboembolism (from ref. 6, Fig. 15).