24.33: Veins of the Upper Limbs
The human circulatory system, a marvel of biological engineering, is a complex network of vessels that transport blood throughout the body. Among these, the veins responsible for carrying blood from the upper limbs are divided into two categories: deep and superficial.
The deep venous system is primarily composed of the ulnar and radial veins. The ulnar vein, which drains the fingers through the superficial palmar venous arches, and the radial vein, which serves the palms via the deep palmar venous arches, play a crucial role in this system. These veins merge to form the brachial vein, which eventually transitions into the axillary vein.
In contrast, the superficial venous system commences with a multitude of small veins located on the back of the hand. This intricate network ultimately drains into two main superficial veins: the cephalic and basilic veins, situated in the forearms. Furthermore, the medial antebrachial vein merges with either the cephalic or basilic vein. The medial cubital vein at the elbow serves as a connection between the cephalic and basilic veins.
The basilic vein, after coursing along the forearm, combines with the brachial vein to form the axillary vein. Similarly, the cephalic vein converges with the axillary vein in the shoulder region. The axillary vein then transitions into the subclavian vein, which finally empties into the superior vena cava's brachiocephalic arm.
