Greater Saphenous Vein and the Liver Channel

Is there are link between the greater saphenous vein and the Liver in TCM? Understanding this relationship helps understand the physiology of the TCM Liver.

Saphenous means hidden, and the greater saphenous vein (GSV) is indeed hidden in the adipose layer. Or, at least, you need to look for it as you are resecting the adipose layer in dissection. The Liver channel follows the trajectory of the GSV in the lower extremities. Is this a coincidence? Or is there something about this vein the speaks to the physiology of the Liver in Chinese medicine. 

First of, it really does follow the trajectory. The GSV has branches that connect to the LIV 3 region between the 1st and second metatarsals. Like the Liver channel, it travels anterior to the malleolus. It angles slightly posterior as it travels up the leg towards the knee; first off traveling over the tibia, then at LIV 5 it is behind the tibia (barely). It moves even more superior and crosses posterior to the SP channel at about 8 cun from the malleolus. And it continues up the thigh, following the basic pathway of the LIV channel before draining into the femoral vein in the femoral triangle. Before moving on from the trajectory, it is worth noting that the saphenous nerve travels with the saphenous vein and it is likely the a main aspect of the 'deqi' sensation.

The GSV is more than just consistent with the trajectory of the channel, but has aspects that are consistent with the physiology of the Liver organ. The Liver 'stores blood'. At any given time, there is more blood 'stored' in the veins than the arteries. These capacitance vessels contain about 64% of the blood in the vascular system. The liver itself is a major source of these capacitance vessels and is the organ with the most blood storage. The liver acts as a major blood reservoir, holding roughly 10% to 15% of the body's total blood volume within its hepatic sinusoids and large veins. But veins like the GSV also contain a 'storage' of blood which moves slowly through them.

The Liver is described as a 'general'. Generals make strategic decisions, deploying the troops to different regions. In the body, this general is the autonomic nervous system which opens and closes blood circulation to the parts of the body that are in most need. It deploys these troops to the digestive organs during the 'rest and digest' phase, for instance. The autonomic nervous system also determines how open or closed the veins like the GSV are. Moving qi and blood along the pathway of the Liver channel and the GSV stimulates and helps regulate the autonomic nervous system.