 The accessory saphenous vein ( ASV ) , either anterior or posterior , is an important GSV collateral frequently responsible for varicose veins located on the anterior and lateral aspect of the thigh . The anterior ASV is more anterior than the ASV and is outside the femoral vessels plan . The two veins terminate in a common trunk near the groin , the sapheno @-@ femoral junction . Here , the ASV can be located aligned with the femoral vessels at the " alignment sign " . Also , at the groin it can be seen at the outside of the great saphenous vein , and together with the common femoral vein ( CFV ) these three create an image , the so @-@ called " Mickey Mouse sign " . Some authors , inspired by this sign ( presented for the first time at CHIVA 's 2002 meeting in Berlin ) , described a " Mickey Mouse view " at the groin , an image formed by the common femoral vein , the GSV and the superficial femoral artery . When the ASV is incompetent , its flow becomes retrograde and tries to drain in the superior fibular perforator , at the side of the knee , or sometimes it runs down towards the ankle to drain in the inferior fibular perforator . 
