Venous Anatomy

Venous Anatomy

Upper Extremity Superficial Veins
1. Cephalic vein
  1. Courses along radial aspect of arm
  2. Communicates with basilic vein via median cubital vein at level of elbow
  3. Located in superficial fascia along anterolateral surface of biceps brachii muscle
  4. Passes superiorly between deltoid and pectoralis major muscles in deltopectoral groove
  5. Drains into axillary vein in arch-like configuration
2. Basilic Vein
  1. Courses along ulnar aspect of arm
  2. Ascends medially along biceps in upper arm
  3. Frequently joins brachial vein in upper arm
Upper Extremity Deep Veins
1. Brachial Vein
  1. Usually paired
  2. Terminate in axillary vein
2. Axillary vein
  1. Returns blood from lateral aspect of thorax, axilla, and upper extremity
  2. Starts at border of teres major muscle as continuation of brachial vein; ends at outer edge of 1st rib
  3. Tributaries include basilic and cephalic veins
3. Subclavian vein
  1. Continuation of axillary vein
  2. Courses from outer border of 1st rib to medial border of anterior scalene muscle
  3. Subclavian vein lies anterior to anterior scalene muscle whereas artery lies posterior
Cervicothoracic Venous Anatomy
1. Internal jugular vein
  1. Formed by union of sigmoid and inferior petrosal sinuses with common facial vein
  2. Provides venous drainage for brain, face, and neck
2. External jugular vein
  1. Formed by union of posterior retromandibular vein and posterior auricular vein
  2. Courses superficial to sternocleidomastoid muscle
  3. Provides venous drainage for exterior of cranium and deep parts of face
3. Thyroidal veins
  1. Arise from venous plexus surrounding thyroid gland; often multiple in number
  2. Superior & middle thyroidal
    1. Direct tributaries to internal jugular vein
  3. Inferior thyroidal
    1. Drain into brachiocephalic veins
4. Vertebral Vein
  1. Derived from small venous tributaries that form plexus around vertebral artery
  2. Plexus ends in single trunk that exits from 6th cervical vertebral transverse foramen
  3. Enters brachiocephalic vein posteriorly near origin
Thoracic Veins
1. Brachiocephalic vein
  1. Formed by union of subclavian and internal jugular veins
  2. Veins join at level of sternoclavicular joint
2. Superior vena cava
  1. Formed by union of right and left brachiocephalic veins
  2. Courses posterior to manubrium and sternum on the right
3. Azygos vein
  1. Formed by union of ascending lumbar and right subcostal veins at 12th thoracic vertebral level
  2. Ascends in posterior mediastinum; arches over right mainstem bronchus to join SVC
  3. Drains posterior thorax and abdomen into SVC
4. Hemiazygos vein
  1. Begins in left ascending lumbar or left renal vein Passes upward through left crus of diaphragm to enter thorax on left; mirrors lower azygos vein Begins in left ascending lumbar or left renal vein Passes upward through left crus of diaphragm to enter thorax on left; mirrors lower azygos vein Begins in left ascending lumbar or left renal vein Passes upward through left crus of diaphragm to enter thorax on left; mirrors lower azygos vein
  2. 9th thoracic vertebra, courses rightward behind aorta and esophagus to enter azygos vein

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	Created by Luisa Muñoz Quiroga over 10 years ago