Anatomy practical: Venous drainage of upper limb

vein

A blood vessel that carries blood back to the heart.

vena comitantes

A pair of veins that closely accompany an artery where the pulsations of the artery aid venous return

teres major

A thick muscle in the shoulder joint. Spans from the inferior aspect of the scapula to the proximal part of the humeral shaft

basilic vein formation

Basilic vein begins as the continuation of the medial end of the dorsal venous arch of the hand. It runs upwards along the back of the medial border of the forearm and it winds the border at the elbow to reach anterior aspect of the forearm where it continues upwards in front of elbow and then alongside the medial side of biceps brachii, where it pierces into deep fascia where it unites with the brachial vein. To become continuals with the axillary vein

Where does the basilic vein originate from?

Basilic vein originates from the dorsal venous network of the hand and ascend the medial aspect of the upper limb

cephalic and basilic veins arise from where?

Both arise from the dorsal venous arch which lies on the dorsum of the hands and has a network aspect

Where does the cephalic vein arise from?

Cephalic vein arises from the dorsal venous network of the hand.

Where does the cephalic vein ascend from and pass through?

Cephalic vein ascends the antero-lateral aspect of the upper limb passing anteriorly at the elbow.

Role of the venous system of the upper limb

Drains deoxygenated blood from the arm forearm and hand

cephalic vein formation

From the radial aspect of dorsal venous arch, the cephalic veins arches around the radial aspect of forearm through the anterolateral forearm, where it passes upwards over the anterior elbow region and ascends laterally through biceps muscles to reach the deltoid pectoral groove. The vein perforates the clavi-pectoral fascia to drain into axillary vein

How is the deep venous system formed?

It is formed by the paired veins which accompany and lie either side of an artery

cephalic vein

Large vein on the outermost side of the upper arm

The cephalic and basilic veins are connected at the elbow by what?

Medial cubital vein

median cubital vein

On the anterior surface of the vein. Vein of choice in intravenous injections.

Within the axilla region, what happens to the cephalic vein?

The cephalic vein empties into the axillary vein

Where is the deep venous system situated?

The deep venous system is situated underneath the deep fascia

How does the brachial artery assist venous return?

The pulsations of the brachial artery assist in the venous return

2 major superficial veins

cephalic vein basilic vein

Perforating veins

connect the superficial system with the deep system

deep fascia

dense connective tissue on the surface of individual muscles

clavipectoral triangle

depression between pectoralis major, deltoid, and the clavicle

dorsal venous arch

drains blood from digital veins and vessels on the superior surface of the foot/fingers

brachial vein

drains blood from the radial and ulnar veins, then empties that blood into the axillary vein

brachial vein

drains blood from the radial and ulnar veins, then empties that blood into the axillary vein. Largest in size

median antebrachial vein

empties into the cephalic or basilic vein

basilic vein

large vein on the inner (medial) side of the upper arm

which side is the cephalic vein

lateral side

basilic vein is on what side

medial side of the arm

superficial

near the surface

deoxygenated blood

oxygen poor blood

medial cubital vein formed

source: cephalic vein drains: basilic vein

median antebrachial vein

source: venous plexus of palmar surface drains to: basilic and cephalic veins

The venous system of the upper limb can be subdivided in what

superficial and deep system

At the shoulder, the cephalic vein travels between where?

travels between the deltoid and pectoralis major muscles and enters the axilla region via the clavipectoral triangle.

superficial veins

veins located near the body surface

At the border of the teres major the basilic veins goes to where?

The vein moves deep into the arm. Here it combines with the brachial veins from the deep venous system to form the axillary vein

median cubital vein

Where the cephalic and basilic vein connect at the elbow

pulsation

a beat or throb, as of the pulse

axillary vein

accompanying vein of axillary artery,located medial & superficial to axillary artery

Axilla region

armpit