An agreement on anatomic terminology is the foundation for a common language in medical science and for an effective exchange of information. A thorough review of the literature has shown need for revision and extension of the official terminologia anatomica with regard to the veins of the lower limb. The foundation of this consensus document was laid by the faculty at a precongress meeting of The Fourteenth World Congress of the International Union of Phlebology (IUP), held in Rome on September 8-9, 2001, under the auspices of the IUP, the International Federation of Associations of Anatomists (IFAA), and the Federative International Committee on Anatomical Terminology (FICAT). The official names of some veins have been changed according to the guidelines of the FICAT. In addition, previously unnamed veins have received names relevant to their anatomy and clinical significance. Some of the terminology recommendations are innovative, but were judged to be correct by members of the committee.

The authors and a large group of experts have agreed a methodology for the investigation of the lower limbs venous system by duplex ultrasonography, with specific reference to the anatomy of the main superficial veins and perforators of the lower limbs in healthy and varicose subjects.

The relative deficiency of the official Terminologia Anatomica with regard to the veins of the lower limbs was responsible for a nonuniform anatomic nomenclature in the clinical literature. In 2001, an International Interdisciplinary Committee updated and refined the official Terminologia Anatomica regarding the veins of the lower limbs. Recommendations for terminology were included in an updating document that appeared in the Journal of Vascular Surgery (2002;36:416-22). To enhance further the use of a common scientific language, the committee worked on the present document, which includes (1) extensions and refinements regarding the veins of the lower limbs; (2) the nomenclature of the venous system of the pelvis; (3) the use of eponyms; and (4) the use of terms and adjectives of particular importance in clinical vascular anatomy.

Ovarian damage, with consequent permanent infertility, is one of the more common side-effects which occurs during chemotherapeutic treatment of patients affected by Hodgkin's disease. This damage is morphologically represented by a marked loss of primordial and primary follicles. The administration of contraceptive drugs before starting chemotherapy enhances survival of a greater number of ovarian follicles, as revealed by morphometric analyses, nevertheless, total ovarian protection is not assured. This study evaluated the number and the morphology of ovarian follicles, by means of transmission electron microscopy, in patients with Hodgkin's disease treated with multi-drug chemotherapeutic protocols following the administration of medroxyprogesterone acetate. Ovarian biopsies were performed prior to any pharmacological treatment, after medroxyprogesterone therapy, and after this therapy plus chemotherapy. Particular attention was given to the ultrastructure of primordial follicles. After morphometric evaluation, primordial follicles were numerous in controls and medroxyprogesterone therapy (28.55 +/- 6.59/mm3 of ovarian cortex). After chemotherapy and medroxyprogesterone acetate, the number of follicles was slightly reduced (19.37 +/- 3.41/mm3 of ovarian cortex) in contrast to the dramatic loss usually observed when protection is not given, although more follicles were atretic. Medroxyprogesterone may protect follicles only from acute, toxic effects of chemotherapy, which dramatically reduce their number and lead to sterility. Nevertheless, the quality of follicles is still impaired, and many undergo atresia, resulting in a shortened fertility period.

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