Veins - Upper Limb

Veins of the Upper Limb Deep and superficial venous arches Are formed by a pair of venae comitantes, which accompany each of the deep and superficial palmar arterial arches. Deep veins of the arm and forearm Follow the course of the arteries, accompanying them as their venae comitantes. (The radial veins receive the dorsal metacarpal veins. The ulnar veins receive tributaries from the deep palmar venous arches. The brachial veins are the vena comitantes of the brachial artery and are joined by the basilic vein to form the axillary vein.) Axillary vein Begins at the lower border of the teres major muscle as the continuation of the basilic vein and ascends along the medial side of the axillary artery. Continues as the subclavian vein at the inferior margin of the first rib. Commonly receives the thoracoepigastric veins directly or indirectly and thus provides a collateral circulation if the inferior vena cava becomes obstructed. Has tributaries that include the cephalic vein, brachial veins (venae comitantes of the brachial artery that join the basilic vein to form the axillary vein), and veins that correspond to the branches of the axillary artery. ◄.....Go back to the Gross Anatomy homepage