Cephalic vein

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Cephalic vein
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The most frequent variations of the veins of the forearm.
Details
Drains from Dorsal venous network of hand
Drains to Axillary vein and median cubital vein
Artery Deltoid branch of thoracoacromial artery
Identifiers
Latin vena cephalica
TA98 A12.3.08.015
TA2 4964
FMA 13324
Anatomical terminology

In human anatomy, the cephalic vein is a superficial vein in the arm. It originates from the radial end of the dorsal venous network of hand, and ascends along the radial (lateral) side of the arm before emptying into the axillary vein. At the elbow, it communicates with the basilic vein via the median cubital vein.

Contents

Anatomy

The cephalic vein is situated within the superficial fascia along the anterolateral surface of the biceps.[ citation needed ]

Origin

The cephalic vein forms over the anatomical snuffbox at the radial end of the dorsal venous network of hand. [1] :983

Course and relations

From its origin, it ascends up the lateral aspect of the radius. [2]

Near the shoulder, the cephalic vein passes between the deltoid and pectoralis major muscles (deltopectoral groove) through the clavipectoral triangle, where it empties into the axillary vein.[ citation needed ]

Anastomoses

It communicates with the basilic vein via the median cubital vein at the elbow.[ citation needed ]

Clinical significance

The cephalic vein is often visible through the skin, and its location in the deltopectoral groove is fairly consistent, making this site a good candidate for venous access. Permanent pacemaker leads are often placed in the cephalic vein in the deltopectoral groove. The vein may be used for intravenous access, as large bore cannula may be easily placed. However, the cannulation of a vein as close to the radial nerve as the cephalic vein can sometimes lead to nerve damage.[ medical citation needed ]

History

Ordinarily the term cephalic refers to anatomy of the head. When the Persian Muslim physician Ibn Sīnā's Canon was translated into medieval Latin, cephalic was mistakenly chosen to render the Arabic term al-kífal, meaning "outer". [3] [4]

Additional images

See also

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References

  1. Gray's anatomy : the anatomical basis of clinical practice. Susan Standring (Forty-second ed.). [New York]. 2021. ISBN   978-0-7020-7707-4. OCLC   1201341621.{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: location missing publisher (link) CS1 maint: others (link)
  2. Gray's anatomy : the anatomical basis of clinical practice. Susan Standring (Forty-second ed.). [New York]. 2021. ISBN   978-0-7020-7707-4. OCLC   1201341621.{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: location missing publisher (link) CS1 maint: others (link)
  3. Diab, Mohammad (1999). Lexicon of orthopaedic etymology. Taylor & Francis. p. 54. ISBN   978-90-5702-597-6.
  4. Swenson, Rand. "Etymology of shoulder and arm terms". Dartmouth Medical School: © O'Rahilly 2008. Archived from the original on October 3, 2017. Retrieved April 20, 2011.