Brachiocephalic vein

Template:Short description Template:Infobox Vein The left and right brachiocephalic veins (previously called innominate veins) are major veins in the upper chest, formed by the union of the ipsilateral internal jugular vein and subclavian vein (the so-called venous angle)<ref name="Moore">Template:Cite book</ref> behind the sternoclavicular joint.<ref name=":022">Template:Cite book</ref> The left brachiocephalic vein is more than twice the length of the right brachiocephalic vein.<ref name="GRAY's1">Template:Cite book</ref>

These veins merge to form the superior vena cava, a great vessel, posterior to the junction of the first costal cartilage with the manubrium of the sternum.<ref name="GRAY's1"/>

The brachiocephalic veins are the major veins returning blood to the superior vena cava.<ref name="GRAY's1"/>

Left and right veins

Veins of the thoracic and abdominal regions

Left brachiocephalic vein

The left brachiocephalic vein is about 6Template:Spacescm long, more than twice the length of the right brachiocephalic vein,<ref name="GRAY's1/> and is formed by the confluence of the left subclavian and left internal jugular veins. In addition, the left vein receives drainage from the following tributaries:

• The left vertebral vein, internal thoracic vein, inferior thyroid veins, superior intercostal veins, the thymic veins and the pericardial veins<ref name="GRAY's1/><ref name="GRAY's2">Template:Cite book</ref>

Right brachiocephalic vein

The right brachiocephalic vein is about 2.5cm long.<ref name="GRAY's1"/> The right vein is formed by the confluence of the right subclavian vein and the right internal jugular vein. It receives the following tributaries:

• The right vertebral vein, the internal thoracic vein, and the thyroid veins, and occasionally from the first right posterior intercostal veins.<ref name="GRAY's1/>

Embryological origin

The left brachiocephalic vein develops from the anastomosis between the left and right anterior cardinal veins when the caudal segment of the left anterior cardinal vein degenerates.Template:Cn

Additional images

• 
  Right and left brachiocephalic vein
• 
  The brachiocephalic veins, superior vena cava, inferior vena cava, azygos vein and their tributaries.

See also

• Hip bone (Innominate bone)
• Brachiocephalic artery (Innominate artery)

References

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