Deep veins are in the center of the leg, within the muscles and near the bones. 90% of blood from legs returns back to the heart via these deep veins.  Superficial veins are just beneath the skin, above the muscles. They act as the side roads to return blood back to the heart. Perforator veins serve as connections between the deep and superficial veins. Blood flows from superficial veins into the perforator veins in order to connect with the deep veins and return to the heart.