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©2013 UpToDate ® Print Email Anterior view superficial veins of the upper extremity The cephalic vein originates at the radial aspect of the wrist traversing the radial border of the forearm. It receives tributaries from both the ventral and dorsal surfaces. At the antecubital fossa it provides a tributary to the median cubital vein. In the upper arm, it travels in the groove between the pectoralis major and deltoid muscles. It pierces the coracoclavicular fascia and, crossing the axillary artery, ends in the axillary vein just below the clavicle. Sometimes it communicates with the external jugular vein by a branch which ascends anterior to the clavicle. The basilic vein originates in the ulnar aspect of the wrist traversing the ulnar side of the forearm to the antecubital fossa where it is joined by the median cubital vein. It ascends in the groove between the biceps brachii and pronator teres, crosses the brachial artery at the elbow and continues cephalad along the medial border of the biceps brachii. It perforates the deep fascia of the upper arm and joins the brachial vein. Deep veins of the upper extremity The deep veins of the upper extremity include the paired ulnar, radial and interosseous veins in the forearm, paired brachial veins of the upper arm, and axillary vein. The axillary vein originates at the lower border of the teres major muscle in continuity with the brachial veins. The basilic and cephalic veins, which are superficial veins, contribute to the axillary vein, though many anatomic variations occur. After passing the outer margin of the first rib, the axillary vein continues as the subclavian vein.

©2013 UpToDate ® Print Email Anterior view superficial veins of the upper extremity The cephalic vein originates at the radial aspect of the wrist traversing the radial border of the forearm. It receives tributaries from both the ventral and dorsal surfaces. At the antecubital fossa it provides a tributary to the median cubital vein. In the upper arm, it travels in the groove between the pectoralis major and deltoid muscles. It pierces the coracoclavicular fascia and, crossing the axillary artery, ends in the axillary vein just below the clavicle. Sometimes it communicates with the external jugular vein by a branch which ascends anterior to the clavicle. The basilic vein originates in the ulnar aspect of the wrist traversing the ulnar side of the forearm to the antecubital fossa where it is joined by the median cubital vein. It ascends in the groove between the biceps brachii and pronator teres, crosses the brachial artery at the elbow and continues cephalad along the medial border of the biceps brachii. It perforates the deep fascia of the upper arm and joins the brachial vein.