Veins of upper limb
Last reviewed: 23.04.2024
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Isolate the superficial and deep veins of the upper limb. They are connected by a large number of anastomoses and have numerous valves. Surface (subcutaneous) veins are more developed than deep veins (especially on the back of the hand). They begin the main venous pathways of the skin and subcutaneous tissue - the lateral and medial subcutaneous veins of the hand, which take blood from the venous plexus of the back surface of the fingers.
Superficial veins of the upper limb
Dorsal metacarpal veins (vv. Metacarpales dorsales, total 4) and anastomoses between them form the rear venous dorsale manus on the back surface of the fingers, the pastern and the wrist. On the palmar surface of the brush surface veins are thinner than on the rear. The beginning is given by the venous plexus of the fingers, in which the palmar finger veins are distinguished (vv. Digitales palmares). By numerous anastomoses, located mainly on the lateral sides of the fingers, the blood flows into the dorsal venous network of the hand.
The superficial veins of the forearm, in which the veins of the wrist continue, form a plexus, the arms of the lateral and medial subcutaneous veins clearly stand out.
The lateral subcutaneous vein of the hand (v. Cephalica) begins from the radial part of the venous network of the dorsal surface of the hand, being, as it were, the extension of the first dorsal metacarpal vein (v. Metacarpals dorsalis prima). It follows from the back surface of the hand on the front surface of the radial edge of the forearm and, coarsening, is directed to the ulnar fossa. Here the lateral subcutaneous vein of the arm anastomizes through the intermediate vein of the elbow with the medial subcutaneous vein of the arm. Then the vein continues on the shoulder in the lateral sulcus of the biceps arm muscle, then in the furrow between the deltoid and large pectoral muscles, perforates the fascia and falls under the clavicle into the axillary vein.
The medial subcutaneous vein of the hand (v. Basilica) is the extension of the fourth dorsal metacarpal vein (v. Metacarpalis dorsalis, 4th) passes from the back of the hand to the ulnar side on the front surface of the forearm and to the ulnar fossa where it takes the intermediate vein of the elbow. Further, the medial subcutaneous vein rises along the medial groove of the biceps arm muscle to the shoulder. At the border of its lower and middle third it perforates the fascia and runs into one of the shoulder veins.
The intermediate vein of the elbow (v. Intermedia cubiti) does not have valves, is located under the skin in the anterior elbow region. Passes obliquely from the lateral subcutaneous vein of the arm to the medial subcutaneous vein of the arm, anastomosing also with deep veins. Often, in addition to the lateral and medial subcutaneous veins, the forearm is located at the intermediate vein of the forearm (v. Intermedia antebrachii). In the anterior elbow region it falls into the intermediate vein of the elbow or is divided into two branches, which independently flow into the lateral and medial subcutaneous veins of the arm.
Deep veins of the upper limb
Deep (pair) veins of the palmar surface of the hand accompany the arteries, form a superficial and deep venous arch.
Palmar digital veins flow into the superficial palmar venous arch (arcus venosus palmaris superficialis), located near the arterial superficial palmar arch. Pairwise palpated metacarpal veins (vv. Metacarpals palmares) are sent to the deep palmaral venous arc (arcus venosus palmaris profundus). Deep as well as superficial palmar venous arcs continue into the deep veins of the forearm - paired ulnar and radial veins (vv. Ulnares et v. Radiales), which accompany the same arteries. Formed from the deep veins of the forearm, two brachial veins (vv. Brachiales), not reaching the axillary cavity, at the level of the lower edge of the tendon of the latissimus muscle of the back merge into one trunk - into the axillary vein (v. Axillaris). This vein extends to the lateral edge of the 1st rib, where it passes into the subclavian vein (v. Subclavia). The axillary vein, like its tributaries, has valves. It is attached to the anteromedial semi-circumference of the axillary artery, collects blood from the superficial and deep veins of the upper limb. Its inflows correspond to branches of the axillary artery. The most significant inflows of the axillary vein are the lateral thoracic vein (v. Thoracica lateralis), into which the thoracospring veins (vv thoracoepigastricae), anastomosing with the lower epigastric vein - the influx of the external iliac vein flow into . The lateral thoracic vein also receives thin veins that connect with I-VII posterior intercostal veins. Venous vessels vein enter the thoracospring, which exit from the papillate plexus venosus areolaris, formed by the subcutaneous veins of the mammary gland.
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