Veins of the upper limb

Superficial veins of the hand

Dorsal and palmar digital veins extend along the sides of the phalanges and function to drain the most distal portion of the upper extremity. 

Palmar digital veins drain the palmar aspect of the fingers. They empty into both the superficial venous palmar arch and the dorsal digital veins via oblique veins that pass between the metacarpal heads. Dorsal digital veins extend along the sides of the dorsal surface of the phalanges of the hands and unite at the base of the proximal phalanges to form three dorsal metacarpal veins (deep veins). 

The deep dorsal metacarpal veins lead to the formation of the primary venous drainage structure of the hand, the dorsal venous network. The dorsal venous network is formed just superficial to the dorsal metacarpus and receives venous blood from the dorsal metacarpal veins, along with dorsal digital veins of the first and fourth digits. 

The palmar venous system of the hand is generally insufficient and therefore blood from the palm of the hand is primarily drained by the dorsal venous network via intercapitular veins. 

The superficial venous network of the hand further drains into the superficial veins of the forearm, namely the cephalic and basilic veins. 

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Deep veins of the hand

The deep veins of the hand follow and are named after their arterial counterparts. Palmar metacarpal veins extend along either side of the metacarpals 2-4 and drain into both the dorsal metacarpal veins and into the deep venous palmar arch.

Dorsal metacarpal veins, as previously mentioned, are formed by the union of the dorsal digital veins and receive venous blood from the fingers. The dorsal metacarpal veins empty into the radial veins and/or the dorsal venous network over the metacarpus. 

The superficial and deep venous palmar arches accompany their arterial counterparts and function to drain the palmar regions of the hand. 

The superficial venous palmar arch receives the palmar digital veins and drains partly to the median antebrachial vein, but mainly functions to shunt palmar blood towards the dorsal venous network via oblique intercapitular veins. 

The deep venous palmar arch receives the palmar metacarpal veins and drains predominantly into the radial veins of the lateral forearm. The deep venous palmar arch gives rise to the main deep veins of the forearm, namely the radial and ulnar veins.

Superficial veins of the forearm

The cephalic and basilic veins are the primary superficial veins which drain the upper limb. The cephalic vein arises from the radial aspect of the dorsal venous network within the anatomical snuff box of the hand. It ascends along the anterolateral surface of the forearm and arm and terminates by draining into the first part of the axillary vein in the clavipectoral triangle of the axilla. In the forearm region, the cephalic vein receives the accessory cephalic vein just distal to the elbow. 

Similarly, the basilic vein arises from the dorsal venous network of the hand but from the ulnar aspect, ascending posteromedially within the forearm. In the forearm region, the basilic vein receives the median antebrachial vein which arises from the palmar venous plexuses of the hand. Occasionally, the median antebrachial vein splits in two and drains into both the basilic and cephalic veins. The basilic vein continues into the arm and unites with the brachial veins to form the axillary vein.

Deep veins of the forearm

The radial and ulnar veins are the main deep veins of the forearm. They are typically made up of two veins each which accompany the radial and ulnar arteries (venae comitants) and function to return blood from the forearm with little contribution (little blood volume) from the hand. These deep veins of the forearm anastomose freely with each other as they ascend through the forearm. 

Arising from the dorsal and palmar veins of the hand are the anterior and posterior interosseous veins. These veins accompany their corresponding arteries and travel within the interosseous space between the radius and ulna. They terminate by forming an anastomosis at the upper margin of the interosseous membrane that empties into the ulnar vein. 

Within the cubital fossa, the ulnar and radial veins unite to form the brachial vein of the arm.

Find out more about the vessels of the upper limb in the study units below:

Superficial veins of the arm

Superficial veins of the arm represent a continuation of the superficial veins of the forearm and include the cephalic and basilic veins. 

The cephalic vein ascends along the forearm and communicates with the median cubital vein on the anterior surface of the elbow joint. The cephalic vein continues to ascend through the arm anterolaterally and courses between the deltoid and pectoralis major muscles within the deltopectoral groove. It then drains into the axillary vein within the clavipectoral triangle on the anterior wall of the axilla.

The basilic vein similarly ascends within the subcutaneous tissue of the medial aspect of the forearm and inferior portion of the arm. The median cubital vein empties into the basilic vein on the anteromedial side of the arm. Within the arm, the basilic vein begins as a superficial vessel. However, halfway between the elbow and shoulder, it takes a deeper course by piercing the brachial fascia at the basilic hiatus to travel alongside the brachial vessels. At the inferior border of the teres major muscle, the basilic vein unites with the brachial veins to form the axillary vein.

Deep veins of the arm

The brachial vein is formed by the union of the radial and ulnar veins within the cubital fossa. It ascends superiorly through the arm in close proximity to the brachial artery. At the inferior border of the teres major muscle, the brachial vein unites with the basilic vein to form the axillary vein. 

The axillary vein courses alongside the axillary artery in the axilla and contributes to the drainage of the upper limb, axilla and superolateral chest wall. The axillary vein terminates at the lateral border of the first rib where it becomes the subclavian vein. The venous blood from the subclavian vein is ultimately returned to the heart to be reoxygenated via the brachiocephalic vein and superior vena cava.

Solidify your knowledge on the main veins of the lower extremity with this quiz.