Superficial Vein of the Upper Limb 1.

Cephalic vein Origin- starts at the back of the hand, union of the digital veins from the thumb and lateral end of the dorsal venous arch Commencement - level of the joint of the thumb Course - lateral side of the dorsal venous arch on the back of the hand and winds around the lateral border of the forearm - ascends into the cubital fossa and up the front of the arm on the lateral side of the biceps - Often connected with the basilic vein by the median cubital vein in front of the elbow. Termination - joins axillary vein in the infraclavicular fossa of the deltopectoral triangle Tributaries -

2. Basilic Vein O - medial side of the venous arch on the back of hand Com C - winds around the medial border of the forearm and then ascends into the cubital fossa and up the front of the arm on the medial side of the biceps to middle of the arm where it pierces the deep fascia Ter - joins with the venae comitantes of the brachial artery to form axillary vein Tri - medial cubital vein

3. Medial Cubital Vein O - branch of the cephalic vein in the cubital fossa Com C - crosses in front of the brachial artery and the median nerve but is separated from them by the bicipital aponeurosis Ter - runs upward and medially and joins the basilic vein Tri Significance : It is a frequent site for venipuncture to remove a sample of blood or add fluid to the blood.

4. Median Vein of the forearm O - Arises in the palmar venous network Com C - Ascends in from of the arm Ter - terminates in the median cubital or basilic vein Tri -

5. Dorsal venous arch (or network) O - union of the digital veins and deep veins of the palm Com C - lies in the subcutaneous tissue proximal to the metacarpophalangeal joints Ter - At the lateral side, into the cephalic vein. At the medial side, into the basilic vein Tri - The greater part of the blood from the whole hand drains into the arch, which receives digital veins and freely communicates with the deep veins of the palm through the interoseous spaces.

Applied anatomy The superficial veins are also used for intravenous injections in clinical settings.

They are also abused by drug users. After many injections, the venous walls collapse and become fibrosed and unusable. These fibrotic vessels can be easily spotted. Superficial veins form many interconnections and can be removed without worrying about loss of blood blow back to the heart.

Veins of the Forearm 1. Cephalic vein 2. Median Cubital vein 3. Accessory Cephalic vein 4. Basilic vein 5. Cephalic vein 6. Median vein of the forearm