Background: The anatomy of the venous system of the lower limb is extremely variable. Small saphenous vein (SSV), one of two superficial veins of lower extremity, arises from the dorsal pedal arch, ascends behind the lateral malleolus and has a variable termination in the popliteal vein. Material and methods: Twenty-four formolized lower limbs were dissected in order to investigate the anatomical variability of the small saphenous vein. The observed anatomical variants were recorded and photographed. Results: The origin of SSV was often a plexus. The dorsal pedal arch was double in two cases. A common trunk of the lateral foot perforating veins was present in 66,7% of cases. According to the presence or absence of saphenopopliteal junction (SPJ) were defined four types of drainage of the SSV: 1) SSV drained in the popliteal vein and formed the SPJ (20,8%), 2) SSV divided in two trunks, one formed the SPJ, another one continued with cranial extension (25%), 3) no SPJ, SSV continued on the thigh with cranial extension (50%), 4) no SPJ, SSV drained in the medial gastrocnemial veins (4,2%). Conclusions: The small saphenous vein has a highly variable anatomy. Its origin is often a plexus. According to the presence or absence of saphenopopliteal junction were defined four types of drainage of the small saphenous vein.