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Brachiocephalic veins

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Brachiocephalic veins

Last reviewed: November 27, 2019

The brachiocephalic vein, also known as an innominate vein, is a vein that returns oxygen-depleted blood from the upper limbs, neck, and head to the heart through its continuation, the superior vena cava.

Contents
  1. Course
  2. Drainage
  3. Sleep apnea
  4. Related diagrams and images
+ Show all
Recommended video: Main veins of the trunk
Major veins of the thorax and abdomen.

Course

Left brachiocephalic vein (ventral view)

The brachiocephalic veins are located on the left and right side of the neck. The brachiocephalic vein on the left side of the neck is approximately 6 to 8 cm in length, while the brachiocephalic vein on the right is approximately 2 cm long.

It is formed at the level of the clavicle, precisely posterior to the sternal end of the clavicle, by the merging of inferior jugular veins (IJV) with the subclavian vein. The left brachiocephalic vein is usually longer than the right. These great vessels (left and right brachiocephalic veins) merge to form the superior vena cava behind the junction of the first costal cartilage with the manubrium sternum.

During embryogenesis, the left brachiocephalic vein is formed by an anastamosis formed between the left and right anterior cardinal veins following the degeneration of the caudal portion of the left anterior cardinal vein.

Drainage

The two brachiocephalic veins merge together, with very small contribution from the azygous vein carrying deoxygenated blood from the rib cage, to form the superior vena cava. The blood that flows into the heart from the superior vena cava is controlled by the contractions of the heart. Hence the azygous vein also returns blood to the brachiocephalic vein. In addition, the brachiocephalic veins also receive drainage from the:

  • Left and right internal thoracic veins, which drain into the inferior border of their corresponding vein
  • Left and right inferior thyroid veins, which drain into the superior aspect of their corresponding veins near the confluence
  • Left superior intercostal vein, which drains into the left brachiocephalic vein

Sleep apnea

Sleep apnea is a potentially serious sleep disorder in which breathing repeatedly stops and starts. Abnormalities in the neck, such as compression of the trachea (or windpipe) by the brachiocephalic vein on either or both sides of the neck, have been associated with sleep apnea in infants.

Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) technique can be used to diagnose this condition and a tracheotomy is sometimes needed to correct the problem. Tracheotomy is a surgical procedure in which an incision is made on the neck and through the trachea, and a breathing tube is passed through the incision to aid breathing.

Brachiocephalic veins: want to learn more about it?

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“I would honestly say that Kenhub cut my study time in half.” – Read more. Kim Bengochea Kim Bengochea, Regis University, Denver

Show references

References:

  • K. L. Moore and A. F. Dalley: Clinically oriented anatomy, 5th edition, (2006), p.1079, 1059.
  • K. Walter: What is sleep apnea?. National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (accessed 26/07/2015).
  • Healthline Medical Team: Brachiocephalic vein (accessed 26/07/2015).
  • Free Medical Dictionary: Brachiocephalic vein (accessed 26/07/2015).

Author, review and layout:

  • Onome Okpe
  • Ryan Sixtus
  • Catarina Chaves

Illustrators:

  • Left brachiocephalic vein (ventral view) - Begoña Rodriguez
© Unless stated otherwise, all content, including illustrations are exclusive property of Kenhub GmbH, and are protected by German and international copyright laws. All rights reserved.

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