Overview
The Posterior Tibial is a deep vein that runs from the foot to the knee.
Course
The Posterior Tibial is formed by the merging of the Medial and Lateral Plantar Veins, the veins that run through the pad of the foot. It travels behind the medial malleolus, the outcropping of bone on the medial side of the ankle, and continues medially up the calf. It meets
the Fibular or Peroneal Vein before merging with the
Anterior Tibial to form the Popliteal Vein.
Etymology
Posterior refers to the fact that the vein travels behind the
tibia. Tibia is the Latin for shin-bone, pipe, or flute. Tibial
flutes were once carved out of animal bones.
Sources:
Gray, Henry. Gray's Anatomy. Crown Publishers, 1977
MacGregor, Arthur. Bone, Antler, Ivory, and Horn: Technology of Skeletal Materials Since the Roman Period. Routledge, pg. 150
Marieb, Elaine N. Human Anatomy and Physiology. Sixth Edition. Pearson