AnatomyUpper limbNerves and vesselsBasilic vein

AnatomyUpper limbNerves and vesselsBasilic vein

Basilic vein

Author: Shahab Shahid, MBBS • Reviewer: Jerome Goffin
Last reviewed: June 05, 2023
Reading time: 5 minutes

The upper limb is highly mobile and well evolved. The vascular supply and venous drainage all facilitate the correct functioning of our upper limbs, and reflect the final picture of our embryological development.

The various vessels we have within our upper limbs all derive from vessels in our fetal life, adapted and transformed to fulfill their roles once we were born. The venous drainage of the upper limb is achieved via a deep and superficial system. The superficial system is what we are able to see from the surface, and comprises the basilic and cephalic veins in the forearm, connected by the median cubital vein, as well as the dorsal venous network of the hand. The deep veins mirror the arteries, and distally are found in pairs known as venae comitantes.

Key facts about the basilic vein
Source	Dorsal venous network of the hand
Empties into	Brachial vein
Draining area	Parts of the hand and forearm

Contents

Drainage and course
Dissection
Embryology
Clinical points
1. Venepuncture
2. Varicose veins
Sources

+ Show all

Drainage and course

The basilic vein runs down the ulnar side of the arm, and also helps in draining the dorsal venous network of the hand. It is shorter than the cephalic vein, and terminates once it joins the brachial vein near the elbow. 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 basilic vein drains into the brachial vein (part of the deep venous system), which then drains into the axillary vein once it crossed the inferior border of teres major. The axillary vein now joins the cephalic vein (part of the superficial venous system), and once this large vein crosses the lateral border of the first rib, it is renamed the subclavian (under the clavicle) vein.

The veins of this system contain valves within their lumen, which prevent backflow. They are more abundant in the veins of the deep system, although they do exist in superficial veins. They are commonly found where the veins anastomose.

Learn more about the neurovasculature of the upper limb with Kenhub.

Dissection

When dissecting superficial fasciae, it is important to be very careful when making the first incision so as to leave the superficial veins undamaged. Commonly, the veins have thinner walls than arteries, are found more superficially, and usually are not as pale.

Superficial veins of the upper limb in the cadaver. Basilic vein is seen coursing through the ulnar side of the upper limb, towards the brachial vein.

Embryology

The venous system of the upper limb originates from the anterior cardinal veins in the embryo, which drain the cephalic half of the embryo proper. The posterior cardinal veins drain the rest of the embryo. During the fourth week, the cardinal veins form a symmetrical system. Formation of the vena cava system is defined by the appearance of several anastomoses resulting in blood being channeled to the right side, which facilitates the return of blood to the right atrium for further circulation.

The anastomosis between the anterior cardinal veins develops into the left brachiocephalic vein. The vast majority of the blood from the left side of the head and the left upper extremity is then channeled to the right. The adult venous system is much more variable than the arterial system. Through transformative processes during development, the individual sections arise from various portions of the embryonic venous system.

Clinical points

Venepuncture

This procedure is required in order to obtain blood for haematology and biochemistry tests. Detailed knowledge of the venous anatomy of the upper limb is of great help when finding appropriate veins. There is a great deal of variation in the superficial venous anatomy of the upper limb, however the basilic and cephalic veins are relatively consistent landmarks, and reliably found.

Varicose veins

This disease commonly affects the elderly, especially women, and results in the appearance of tortuous bluish veins on the legs. The defect occurs due to incompetence of the valves between the deep and superficial venous system of the lower limb (blood flows from the superficial to the deep system). As a result, blood collects in the superficial system, resulting in the clinical appearance commonly found. Treatment can include pressure stockings to encourage venous return, and also surgical tying off of the superficial veins, leaving only a deep system in the troublesome areas.

Sources

All content published on Kenhub is reviewed by medical and anatomy experts. The information we provide is grounded on academic literature and peer-reviewed research. Kenhub does not provide medical advice. You can learn more about our content creation and review standards by reading our content quality guidelines.

References:

Chummy S.Sinnatamby: Last’s Anatomy Regional and Applied, 12th Edition, Churchill Livingstone Elsevier.
Richard L. Drake, A. Wayne Vogl, Adam. W.M. Mitchell: Gray’s Anatomy for Students, 2nd Edition, Churchill Livingstone Elsevier.

Illustrators:

Superficial veins of the upper limb (cadaver dissection) - Prof. Carlos Suárez-Quian

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