Age features of veins
Last reviewed: 23.04.2024
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With age, the diameter of the veins, their cross-sectional area and length increase. For example, the upper vena cava due to high cardiac position in children is short. In the first year of life of the child, in children aged 8-12 years and adolescents, the length and cross-sectional area of the superior vena cava increases. In people of mature age, these indices almost do not change, and in elderly people and the elderly, due to the age-related changes in the structure of the walls of this vein, an increase in its diameter is observed. The lower hollow vein of the newborn is short and relatively wide (diameter about 6 mm). By the end of the first year of life, its diameter increases slightly, and then faster than the diameter of the superior vena cava. In adults, the diameter of the inferior vena cava (at the level of confluence of the renal veins) is approximately 25-28 mm. Simultaneously with the increase in the length of the hollow veins, the position of their tributaries changes. The portal vein and the upper and lower mesenteric and splenic veins that form it in the newborn are mainly formed.
After the birth, the topography of superficial veins of the body and limbs changes. So, the newborn has dense subcutaneous venous plexus. Against their background, large veins are not contoured. By 1-2 years of life, the larger and small saphenous veins of the legs are distinctly distinguished from these veins, and the upper limb is the lateral and medial subcutaneous veins of the arm. Rapidly increasing the diameter of the superficial veins of the leg from the period of the newborn to 2 years: a large saphenous vein almost 2 times, and a small saphenous vein - 2.5 times.
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