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.

Which veins are deep and which are superficial?

Deep veinFMA76718Anatomical terminology

Where is the basilic vein?

The basilic vein usually lies in the deep subcutaneous tissue at the antecubital crease and pierces the brachial fascia in the distal third of the upper arm; however, occasionally it lies beneath the fascia at the antecubital crease.

Is basilic vein a deep vein radiology?

The basilic vein, along with the cephalic vein, is one of the primary superficial veins that drain the upper limb 1.

Which veins are considered deep veins?

Veins considered to be “deep” classically have a corresponding named artery. In the upper extremity the deep veins include the paired radial veins, paired ulnar veins, paired brachial veins, axillary vein, and subclavian vein.

What is a basilic vein?

The basilic vein is one of the superficial veins of the upper limb. It begins from the medial side of the dorsal venous network and ascends in the subcutaneous tissue, along the medial side of the forearm.

Are basilic and cephalic veins deep 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.

Is Basilic vein clot a DVT?

DVT-UE must be distinguished from thrombosis of the superficial veins, i.e., the cephalic and basilic veins (1). Idiopathic DVT-UE and cases due to anatomical variants are known as primary DVT-UE.

Is basilic deep vein?

The basilic vein is a large superficial vein of the upper limb that helps drain parts of the hand and forearm.

Is antecubital vein deep or superficial?

The median cubital vein is the superficial vein overlying the bicipital aponeurosis in the roof of the cubital fossa, commonly cannulated for intravenous access. It variably forms as either a H or M type pattern joining the median antebrachial, basilic and cephalic veins.

Article first time published on

Where in the upper limb does the basilic vein pass from superficial to deep?

From the ulnar side (medial side of forearm) the basilic vein runs up the postaxial border of the upper limb, pierces the deep fascia halfway between the elbow and axilla, and joins the brachial veins to form the axillary veins.

Does the basilic vein have valves?

The basilic vein pierces the deep fascia at the elbow and joins the venae commitantes of the brachial vein to form the axillary vein. … The veins of this system contain valves within their lumen, which prevent backflow.

What is superficial vein?

A superficial vein is close to your body’s surface and is often visible to the eye. Superficial veins may appear when lifting heavy weights or during a period of intense strength training. The superficial vessels are responsible for carrying the blood from the tissues closer to the skin’s surface to the deep veins.

Is the superficial femoral vein a deep vein?

Most primary care physicians have not been taught and are not aware that the superficial femoral vein is a deep vein and that acute thrombosis of this vessel is potentially life threatening.

Is gastrocnemius vein superficial or deep?

According to the nomenclature of veins of the lower limb [4], soleal and gastrocnemius veins are included in the deep venous system (Figure 1). Thus, it is accepted that DVT and ISGDVT have similar risk factors.

Where are the cephalic and basilic veins?

Cephalic and basilic veins begin their path from around the wrist and continue towards the area above the forearm. The basilic vein becomes deep around the mid-arm, while the cephalic vein becomes deep around the upper forearm, in deltopectoral groove.

What are the 3 superficial veins of the upper limb?

• cephalic vein – glides along the biceps: the “signature vein” of bodybuilders.
• median cubital vein – often used to draw blood (venipuncture).
• basilic vein – usually the largest vein in the arm: often used for dialysis access.

Which vein converges with the basilic vein to form the axillary vein?

hand and wrist, and the ulnar veins, both veins following the course of the associated artery. The radial and ulnar veins converge at the elbow to form the brachial vein; this, in turn, unites with the basilic vein at the level of the shoulder to produce the axillary vein.

Is the basilic vein central or peripheral?

In general, the veins preferred for placement of central and peripheral venous access catheters are the internal jugular veins in the neck, the axillary and subclavian veins in the chest, the cephalic and basilic veins in the upper extremities, and the superficial femoral and common femoral veins in the lower …

Is Basilic vein good for venipuncture?

Basilic vein which is located Third choice for venipuncture In many patients this vein may not be well Syringe draw should be considered as it gives the on the under side of the in the antecubital area. anchored and will roll, making it difficult to phlebotomist more control over a rolling vein.

What is basilic vein transposition?

The conventional surgical technique of basilic vein transposition consists of dissection and mobilizing the basilic vein at the medial side of the upper arm. After dissection, the basilic vein is transposed to a subcutaneous tunnel on the anterior surface of the arm and anastomosed to the brachial artery [10,11].

Is the basilic vein paired?

The three pairs of deep veins of the forearm form the brachial veins at the level of the elbow. The paired brachial veins join the basilic vein to form the axillary vein at the lower border of the teres major muscle (at the lateral border of the scapula on an antero-posterior chest x-ray).

Is cephalic vein considered a deep vein?

Superficial veins — The main superficial veins of the upper extremity include the cephalic, basilic, median cubital, and accessory cephalic veins (figure 1).

What is a superficial clot?

Superficial thrombophlebitis: If the vein that has the clot is just under the skin, it is called a superficial venous thrombosis or superficial thrombophlebitis. This type of clot does not usually travel to the lungs unless it reaches the deep veins.

Are cephalic veins deep?

Anatomical terminology In human anatomy, the cephalic vein is a superficial vein in the arm. It communicates with the basilic vein via the median cubital vein at the elbow and is located in the superficial fascia along the anterolateral surface of the biceps.

What is a superficial vein in the arm?

Superficial veins in the arms/upper extremities include: Digital, metacarpal, cephalic, basilic, and median veins.

Where are superficial veins located?

Superficial veins are located near the surface of the skin and have very little muscle support. The great saphenous vein is a superficial vein.

Which deep vein of the upper limb merges with the basilic veins to form the axillary vein?

At the elbow, the basilic and cephalic veins are linked by the median cubital vein, from which blood is often drawn. At the shoulder, the basilic vein passes deep into the arm and merges with the brachial veins to form the axillary vein, to which the cephaliac vein merges, forming the subclavian vein.

What clinical procedure is the basilic vein important for?

Objective: Basilic vein arteriovenous fistulas are an important and common option for hemodialysis access and require superficialization before use. Various superficialization techniques have been employed, such as basilic tunnel transposition (BTT), basilic elevation, and basilic elevation transposition (BET).

Are veins deep seated?

Arteries perform the critical function of carrying oxygenated blood throughout the body. … Therefore, arteries are deep-seated to prevent any damage from occurring. Veins, on the other hand, are located superficially. This is because the blood flows through them with considerably lower pressure than arteries.

What is the difference between deep and superficial?

In anatomy, superficial is a directional term that indicates one structure is located more externally than another, or closer to the surface of the body. The opposite of superficial is deep. … This means it is not limited to structures on the very outside of the body, such as the skin or eyes.