Lateral thoracic vein

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Lateral thoracic vein
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The veins of the right axilla, viewed from in front. (Lateral thoracic vein not labeled but region is visible.)
Details
Drains to axillary vein
Artery lateral thoracic artery
Identifiers
Latin vena thoracica lateralis
TA98 A12.3.08.011
TA2 4971
FMA 71210
Anatomical terminology

The lateral thoracic vein (sometimes debatably referred to as the long thoracic vein) is a tributary of the axillary vein. It runs with the lateral thoracic artery and drains the Serratus anterior muscle and the Pectoralis major muscle.

Normally, the thoracoepigastric vein exists between this vein and superficial epigastric vein (a tributary of femoral vein), to act as a shunt for blood if the portal system (through the liver) develops hypertension or a blockage.


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Serratus anterior muscle Muscle on the surface of the ribs

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Axillary artery Large blood vessel bringing oxygenated blood to the thorax

In human anatomy, the axillary artery is a large blood vessel that conveys oxygenated blood to the lateral aspect of the thorax, the axilla (armpit) and the upper limb. Its origin is at the lateral margin of the first rib, before which it is called the subclavian artery.

Axillary vein Large vein between the thorax and the heart

In human anatomy, the axillary vein is a large blood vessel that conveys blood from the lateral aspect of the thorax, axilla (armpit) and upper limb toward the heart. There is one axillary vein on each side of the body.

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In human anatomy, the lateral thoracic artery is a blood vessel that supplies oxygenated blood to the lateral structures of the thorax and breast.

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Outline of human anatomy Overview of and topical guide to human anatomy

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