Download Veins of the Upper Limbs

Veins of the Upper Limbs
The deep veins of the upper limbs have similar courses and names as
their companion arteries. The superficial veins are not paired with
arteries, but provide an anastomotic network for draining the limbs. The
large superficial veins in the upper limbs are visible just below the skin.
Major Veins of the Upper Limbs: Deep
(Some veins of the upper limbs also drain structures of the thorax.)
Vein
Area Drained
Description
Radial
veins
Lateral side of
forearms
Paired radial veins begin at the
deep palmar venous arches that
drain the palmar metacarpal veins in
the palms
Vein
Area Drained
Description
Ulnar veins Medial side of
forearms
Paired ulnar veins begin at the
superficial palmar venous arches,
which drain the common palmar
digital veins and proper palmar
digital veins in the fingers
Brachial
veins
Forearms, elbow
joints, upper
limbs, humerus
Paired brachial veins merge with
the basilic veins to form
theaxillary veins
Axillary
veins
Upper limbs,
axillae,
superolateral
chest wall
Continue as the subclavian veins
Subclavian
veins
Upper limbs,
neck, thoracic
wall
Continuations of the axillary veins;
Merge with the internal jugular veins
to form the brachiocephalic veins
Major Veins of the Upper Limbs: Superficial
(Some veins of the upper limbs also drain structures of the thorax.)
Vein
Area
Drained
Description
Cephalic
veins
Lateral side The cephalic veins begin on the lateral
of upper
side of the dorsal venous arch, a
limbs
plexus of veins formed by the dorsal
metacarpal veins that drain thedorsal
digital veins of the fingers
Basilic veins
Medial
aspects of
upper
At the crook of the elbow, the basilic veins
are connected to the cephalic veins by
the median cubital vein that drains the
Vein
Median
antebrachial
vein
Area
Drained
Description
limbs
forearm; The median cubital vein is often
used to draw blood or inject intravenous
medications; In the axilla, the basilic veins
merge with the brachial veins to form the
axillary veins
Palms,
forearms
The median antebrachial vein runs
between the radial and ulnar veins in the
forearm; Ends at the elbow by entering
either the basilic or cephalic vein