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Main veins of the upper limb
Learning objectives
After completing this study unit you will be able to:
- Name the major veins of the upper limb.
- Identify which veins belong to the superficial venous system and which form the deep venous system.
- Describe the drainage area and course of each vein.
Watch video
The veins of the upper limb drain deoxygenated blood from the upper extremity and return it to the heart via the superior vena cava. They do this by forming two venous networks within the limb, one superficial and the other deep. Watch the following video to find out more about these venous networks and learn the areas drained by each vein as they travel from the fingers back towards the heart.
Take a quiz
Do you know the names of the upper limb veins? How about which veins belong to the superficial venous system and which to the deep? Test yourself now with our tailored quizzes.
Browse atlas
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:watermark(/images/watermark_only.png,0,0,0):watermark(/logos/logo_url.png,-10,-10,0):format(jpeg)/images/learnable/superior-vena-cava-14/Og0XyLcWvI7EbXCBl2Nc7w_superior-vena-cava-14.png "Superior vena cava (Vena cava superior); Image: Paul Kim"){kind=logo}
:watermark(/images/watermark_only.png,0,0,0):watermark(/logos/logo_url.png,-10,-10,0):format(jpeg)/images/learnable/brachiocephalic-veins/G4Vy1ty1bypA1aLKzEaUHw_brachiocephalic-veins.png "Brachiocephalic veins (Venae brachiocephalicae); Image: Paul Kim"){kind=logo}
:watermark(/images/watermark_only.png,0,0,0):watermark(/logos/logo_url.png,-10,-10,0):format(jpeg)/images/learnable/internal-jugular-vein-27/4O0JqWZ8cWqGzQUhgaQw_internal-jugular-vein-27.png "Internal jugular vein (Vena jugularis interna); Image: Paul Kim"){kind=logo}
:watermark(/images/watermark_only.png,0,0,0):watermark(/logos/logo_url.png,-10,-10,0):format(jpeg)/images/learnable/external-jugular-vein-18/0wIayp2OrvAZQVZpxjBw_external-jugular-vein-18.png "External jugular vein (Vena jugularis externa); Image: Paul Kim"){kind=logo}
:watermark(/images/watermark_only.png,0,0,0):watermark(/logos/logo_url.png,-10,-10,0):format(jpeg)/images/learnable/subclavian-vein-10/1YfllT5qVyQBeWwTcN1Rog_subclavian-vein-10.png "Subclavian vein (Vena subclavia); Image: Paul Kim"){kind=logo}
:watermark(/images/watermark_only.png,0,0,0):watermark(/logos/logo_url.png,-10,-10,0):format(jpeg)/images/learnable/axillary-vein-12/3goTngc33KT3GTdNiQnF3w_axillary-vein-12.png "Axillary vein (Vena axillaris); Image: Paul Kim"){kind=logo}
:watermark(/images/watermark_only.png,0,0,0):watermark(/logos/logo_url.png,-10,-10,0):format(jpeg)/images/learnable/scapular-veins/0ZFoIAxtUEAUwY0L0eQ1mA_scapular-veins.png "Scapular veins (Venae scapulae); Image: Paul Kim"){kind=logo}
:watermark(/images/watermark_only.png,0,0,0):watermark(/logos/logo_url.png,-10,-10,0):format(jpeg)/images/learnable/basilic-vein-22/2FWaajZJDB5J5K8UKgE1A_basilic-vein-22.png "Basilic vein (Vena basilica); Image: Paul Kim"){kind=logo}
:watermark(/images/watermark_only.png,0,0,0):watermark(/logos/logo_url.png,-10,-10,0):format(jpeg)/images/learnable/cephalic-vein-34/um7wwXotzizU0fjv5ReA_cephalic-vein-34.png "Cephalic vein (Vena cephalica); Image: Paul Kim"){kind=logo}
:watermark(/images/watermark_only.png,0,0,0):watermark(/logos/logo_url.png,-10,-10,0):format(jpeg)/images/learnable/brachial-veins/jdXlzdegbrpo6M5Ftv6mA_brachial-veins.png "Brachial veins (Venae brachiales); Image: Paul Kim"){kind=logo}
:watermark(/images/watermark_only.png,0,0,0):watermark(/logos/logo_url.png,-10,-10,0):format(jpeg)/images/learnable/radial-veins-4/6TZeSSKsnlt5YjqeSRP3zg_radial-veins-4.png "Radial veins (Venae radiales); Image: Paul Kim"){kind=logo}
:watermark(/images/watermark_only.png,0,0,0):watermark(/logos/logo_url.png,-10,-10,0):format(jpeg)/images/learnable/ulnar-veins/DzKnr6WRHowH8zAKZJHbA_ulnar-veins.png "Ulnar veins (Venae ulnares); Image: Paul Kim"){kind=logo}
:watermark(/images/watermark_only.png,0,0,0):watermark(/logos/logo_url.png,-10,-10,0):format(jpeg)/images/learnable/interosseous-veins-of-the-forearm/i9m9nKKPBoXxmpvqzyHY7g_interosseous-veins-of-the-forearm.png "Interosseous veins of forearm (Venae interosseae antebrachii); Image: Paul Kim"){kind=logo}
:watermark(/images/watermark_only.png,0,0,0):watermark(/logos/logo_url.png,-10,-10,0):format(jpeg)/images/learnable/median-cubital-vein-5/ougiYLZvCAQdQKWDemig3w_Mediana_cubiti.png "Median cubital vein (Vena mediana cubiti); Image: Paul Kim"){kind=logo}
:watermark(/images/watermark_only.png,0,0,0):watermark(/logos/logo_url.png,-10,-10,0):format(jpeg)/images/learnable/superficial-palmar-venous-arch/GBtUHdJ3zKbSF0zBUAXVg_superficial-palmar-venous-arch.png "Superficial venous palmar arch (Arcus venosus palmaris superficialis); Image: Paul Kim"){kind=logo}
:watermark(/images/watermark_only.png,0,0,0):watermark(/logos/logo_url.png,-10,-10,0):format(jpeg)/images/learnable/deep-palmar-venous-arch/hQ3yrs3N3q71S8ctfmCDjA_deep-palmar-venous-arch.png "Deep venous palmar arch (Arcus venosus palmaris profundus); Image: Paul Kim"){kind=logo}
:watermark(/images/watermark_only.png,0,0,0):watermark(/logos/logo_url.png,-10,-10,0):format(jpeg)/images/learnable/digital-veins-of-the-hand/obVegy5dDjGekyo3NEdzg_digital-veins-of-the-hand.png "Digital veins of hand (Venae digitales manus); Image: Paul Kim"){kind=logo}
:watermark(/images/watermark_only.png,0,0,0):watermark(/logos/logo_url.png,-10,-10,0):format(jpeg)/images/learnable/superficial-veins-of-the-upper-limb/L0jbnPO3fj2lMtlJGWqEgA_superficial-veins-of-the-upper-limb.png "Superficial veins of upper limb (Venae superficiales membri superioris); Image: Paul Kim"){kind=logo}
:watermark(/images/watermark_only.png,0,0,0):watermark(/logos/logo_url.png,-10,-10,0):format(jpeg)/images/learnable/deep-veins-of-the-upper-limb/OjwzzERrXAVbnKQRC2fvbw_deep-veins-of-the-upper-limb.png "Deep veins of upper limb (Venae profundae membri superioris); Image: Paul Kim"){kind=logo}
Superior vena cava
Vena cava superior
1/19
Synonyms:
SVC, Vena cava cranialis
Summary
| Major veins of the upper limb |
Subclavian vein, axillary vein, brachial veins, median cubital vein, basilic vein, cephalic vein, ulnar veins, radial veins, palmar arches and dorsal venous network |
| Superficial and deep venous systems |
Superficial: median cubital vein, basilic vein, cephalic vein and dorsal venous network Deep: subclavian vein, axillary vein, brachial vein, ulnar vein, radial vein and palmar arches |
| Region drained by each vein |
Hand: dorsal venous network, superficial and deep palmar arches, metacarpal veins and digital veins Forearm: basilic vein, cephalic vein, radial veins and ulnar veins Arm: brachial vein, basilic vein and cephalic vein Shoulder: subclavian vein and axillary vein |
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