In healthy veins, the blood flows in one direction. The valves of the vein allow blood flow in the right direction and prevent blood from flowing in the wrong direction. This keeps blood cells from collecting in the vein and forming a blood clot (called a thrombus).
| By | Healthwise Staff |
| Primary Medical Reviewer | Kathleen Romito, MD - Family Medicine |
| Specialist Medical Reviewer | Howard Schaff, MD - Diagnostic Radiology |
| Last Revised | August 18, 2009 |
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