On the distensibility of the saphenous, the cephalic, and the jugular veins

ABSTRACT

Distensibility study was done on isolated segments of the saphenous, the cephalic, and the jugular veins. All veins were found to be normally, in a state of tension and to retract [recoil] after being cut. The recoil varies in the different veins. The saphenous vein possessed the narrowest lumen and the thickest wall, while the jugular vein showed the reverse situation, and the cephalic vein stands midway between both. At pressures below 100 mmHg, the highest distensibility was encountered in the jugular vein, while the least was in the saphenous vein, but at pressures above 100 mmHg, the reverse was true. Also, the cephalic vein stands midway between both veins