Brachiocephalic vein

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Brachiocephalic vein
Gray1174.png
The thyroid gland and its relations. (Label for "Right innom. vein" and "Left innom. vein" visible at bottom center.)
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The arch of the aorta, and its branches. (Right innom. vein labeled at upper right; left innominate vein labeled at center top.)
Details
Source Internal jugular
subclavian
superior intercostal
vertebral
inferior thyroid
Drains to Superior vena cava
Artery Brachiocephalic artery
Identifiers
Latin vena brachiocephalica
vena anonyma
MeSH D016121
TA98 A12.3.04.001
TA2 4772
FMA 4723
Anatomical terminology

The left and right brachiocephalic veins (previously called innominate veins) are major veins in the upper chest, formed by the union of the ipsilateral internal jugular vein and subclavian vein (the so-called venous angle) [1] behind the sternoclavicular joint. [2] The left brachiocephalic vein is more than twice the length of the right brachiocephalic vein. [3]

Contents

These veins merge to form the superior vena cava, a great vessel, posterior to the junction of the first costal cartilage with the manubrium of the sternum. [3]

The brachiocephalic veins are the major veins returning blood to the superior vena cava. [3]

Left and right veins

Veins of the thoracic and abdominal regions 2132 Thoracic Abdominal Veins.jpg
Veins of the thoracic and abdominal regions

Left brachiocephalic vein

The left brachiocephalic vein is about 6cm, more than twice the length of the right brachiocephalic vein. [3] and is formed by the confluence of the left subclavian and left internal jugular veins. In addition the left vein receives drainage from the following tributaries:

Right brachiocephalic vein

The right brachiocephalic vein is about 2.5cm long. [3] The right vein is formed by the confluence of the right subclavian vein and the right internal jugular vein. It receives the following tributaries:

Embryological origin

The left brachiocephalic vein develops from the anastomosis between the left and right anterior cardinal veins when the caudal segment of the left anterior cardinal vein degenerates.[ citation needed ]

Additional images

See also

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Brachiocephalic artery</span> Artery of the mediastinum

The brachiocephalic artery, brachiocephalic trunk, or innominate artery is an artery of the mediastinum that supplies blood to the right arm, head, and neck.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Inferior vena cava</span> One of two veinous trunks bringing deoxygenated blood back to the heart

The inferior vena cava is a large vein that carries the deoxygenated blood from the lower and middle body into the right atrium of the heart. It is formed by the joining of the right and the left common iliac veins, usually at the level of the fifth lumbar vertebra.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Subclavian artery</span> Major arteries of the upper thorax, below the clavicle

In human anatomy, the subclavian arteries are paired major arteries of the upper thorax, below the clavicle. They receive blood from the aortic arch. The left subclavian artery supplies blood to the left arm and the right subclavian artery supplies blood to the right arm, with some branches supplying the head and thorax. On the left side of the body, the subclavian comes directly off the aortic arch, while on the right side it arises from the relatively short brachiocephalic artery when it bifurcates into the subclavian and the right common carotid artery.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Thoracic duct</span> Lymphatic vessel

In human anatomy, the thoracic duct is the larger of the two lymph ducts of the lymphatic system. The thoracic duct usually begins from the upper aspect of the cisterna chyli, passing out of the abdomen through the aortic hiatus into first the posterior mediastinum and then the superior mediastinum, extending as high up as the root of the neck before descending to drain into the systemic (blood) circulation at the venous angle.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Azygos vein</span> Human blood vessel by the spine

The azygos vein is a vein running up the right side of the thoracic vertebral column draining itself towards the superior vena cava. It connects the systems of superior vena cava and inferior vena cava and can provide an alternative path for blood to the right atrium when either of the venae cavae is blocked.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Jugular vein</span> Veins that bring deoxygenated blood from the head back to the heart

The jugular veins are veins that take blood from the head back to the heart via the superior vena cava. The internal jugular vein descends next to the internal carotid artery and continues posteriorly to the sternocleidomastoid muscle.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Internal jugular vein</span> Blood vessel that drains the head

The internal jugular vein is a paired jugular vein that collects blood from the brain and the superficial parts of the face and neck. This vein runs in the carotid sheath with the common carotid artery and vagus nerve.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Subclavian vein</span> Blood vessel that drains the arm

The subclavian vein is a paired large vein, one on either side of the body, that is responsible for draining blood from the upper extremities, allowing this blood to return to the heart. The left subclavian vein plays a key role in the absorption of lipids, by allowing products that have been carried by lymph in the thoracic duct to enter the bloodstream. The diameter of the subclavian veins is approximately 1–2 cm, depending on the individual.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Common carotid artery</span> One of the two arteries that supply the head and neck with blood

In anatomy, the left and right common carotid arteries (carotids) are arteries that supply the head and neck with oxygenated blood; they divide in the neck to form the external and internal carotid arteries.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Superior thoracic aperture</span> Opening at the top of the thoracic cavity (area enclosed by the ribcage)

The superior thoracic aperture, also known as the thoracic outlet, or thoracic inlet refers to the opening at the top of the thoracic cavity. It is also clinically referred to as the thoracic outlet, in the case of thoracic outlet syndrome. A lower thoracic opening is the inferior thoracic aperture.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Aortic arch</span> Part of the aorta

The aortic arch, arch of the aorta, or transverse aortic arch is the part of the aorta between the ascending and descending aorta. The arch travels backward, so that it ultimately runs to the left of the trachea.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Inferior thyroid veins</span>

The inferior thyroid veins appear two, frequently three or four, in number, and arise in the venous plexus on the thyroid gland, communicating with the middle and superior thyroid veins. While the superior and middle thyroid veins serve as direct tributaries to the internal jugular vein, the inferior thyroid veins drain directly to the brachiocephalic veins.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Superior thyroid vein</span>

The superior thyroid vein is the vena comitans of the superior thyroid artery. It is formed by the union of deep and superficial tributaries that correspond to the arterial branches of the superior thyroid artery. Its tributaries are the superior laryngeal vein, and the cricothyroid veins. The vein empties into either the internal jugular vein, or the facial vein.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Middle thyroid vein</span>

The middle thyroid vein collects the blood from the lower portion of the thyroid gland. It receives tributaries that drain the larynx, and trachea. It passes anterior to the common carotid artery to reach and drain into the internal jugular vein.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Inferior cervical ganglion</span>

The inferior cervical ganglion is one of the three cervical sympathetic ganglia. It is situated between the base of the transverse process of the last cervical vertebra and the neck of the first rib, on the medial side of the costocervical artery.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Lumbar veins</span> Veins that drain the posterior abdominal wall

The lumbar veins are four pairs of veins running along the inside of the posterior abdominal wall, and drain venous blood from parts of the abdominal wall. Each lumbar vein accompanies a single lumbar artery. The lower two pairs of lumbar veins all drain directly into the inferior vena cava, whereas the fate of the upper two pairs is more variable.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Intervertebral veins</span>

The intervertebral veins accompany the spinal nerves through the intervertebral foramina to drain the internal vertebral venous plexuses into the external vertebral venous plexuses. They drain into vertebral vein, intercostal veins, lumbar veins, and lateral sacral veins. Upper posterior intercostal veins may additionally drain via brachiocephalic vens. They may drain to ascending lumbar veins. They may drain into the inferior vena cava directly, reaching it by winding around the surface of the vertebral body.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Outline of human anatomy</span> Overview of and topical guide to human anatomy

The following outline is provided as an overview of and topical guide to human anatomy:

References

  1. Moore, Keith L. (2018). Clinically oriented anatomy (Eighth ed.). Philadelphia. p. 1004. ISBN   9781496347213.{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: location missing publisher (link)
  2. Sinnatamby, Chummy S. (2011). Last's Anatomy (12th ed.). Elsevier Australia. p. 193. ISBN   978-0-7295-3752-0.
  3. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 Standring, Susan (2016). Gray's anatomy : the anatomical basis of clinical practice (Forty-first ed.). [Philadelphia]. p. 1027. ISBN   978-0-7020-5230-9.{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: location missing publisher (link)
  4. Standring, Susan (2016). Gray's anatomy : the anatomical basis of clinical practice (Forty-first ed.). [Philadelphia]. p. 983. ISBN   978-0-7020-5230-9.{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: location missing publisher (link)