Basilic vein
Encyclopedia
In human anatomy
, the basilic vein is a large superficial vein
of the upper limb
that helps drain parts of hand and forearm
. It originates on the medial (ulnar) side of the dorsal venous network of the hand, and it travels up the base of the forearm and arm. Most of its course is superficial; it generally travels in the subcutaneous fat and other fasciae that lie superficial to the muscles of the upper extremity. Because of this, it is usually visible through the skin.
Near the region anterior to the cubital fossa
, in the bend of the elbow
joint, the basilic vein usually connects with the other large superficial vein of the upper extremity, the cephalic vein
, via the median cubital vein
. The layout of superficial veins in the forearm is highly variable from person to person, and there are generally a variety of other unnamed superficial veins that the basilic vein communicates with.
About halfway up the arm proper (the part between the shoulder and elbow), the basilic vein typically goes deep, travelling under the muscles. There, around the lower border of the teres major muscle, the anterior and posterior circumflex humeral veins feed into it, just before it joins the brachial veins
to form the axillary vein
.
Along with other superficial veins in the forearm, the basilic vein is a possible site for venipuncture
.
Human anatomy
Human anatomy is primarily the scientific study of the morphology of the human body. Anatomy is subdivided into gross anatomy and microscopic anatomy. Gross anatomy is the study of anatomical structures that can be seen by the naked eye...
, the basilic vein is a large superficial vein
Superficial vein
Superficial vein is a term used to describe a vein that is close to the surface of the body. It is used to differentiate veins that are close to the surface from veins that are far from the surface, known as deep veins....
of the upper limb
Upper limb
The upper limb or upper extremity is the region in an animal extending from the deltoid region to the hand, including the arm, axilla and shoulder.-Definition:...
that helps drain parts of hand and forearm
Forearm
-See also:*Forearm flexors*Forearm muscles...
. It originates on the medial (ulnar) side of the dorsal venous network of the hand, and it travels up the base of the forearm and arm. Most of its course is superficial; it generally travels in the subcutaneous fat and other fasciae that lie superficial to the muscles of the upper extremity. Because of this, it is usually visible through the skin.
Near the region anterior to the cubital fossa
Cubital fossa
The cubital fossa is the triangular area on the anterior view of the elbow of a human or other hominid animal. It is colloquially known as the "elbow pit".-Boundaries:...
, in the bend of the elbow
Elbow
The human elbow is the region surrounding the elbow-joint—the ginglymus or hinge joint in the middle of the arm. Three bones form the elbow joint: the humerus of the upper arm, and the paired radius and ulna of the forearm....
joint, the basilic vein usually connects with the other large superficial vein of the upper extremity, the cephalic vein
Cephalic vein
In human anatomy, the cephalic vein is a superficial vein of the upper limb.It communicates with the basilic vein via the median cubital vein at the elbow and is located in the superficial fascia along the anterolateral surface of the biceps brachii muscle.Superiorly the cephalic vein passes...
, via the median cubital vein
Median cubital vein
In human anatomy, the median cubital vein is a superficial vein of the upper limb. It connects the basilic and cephalic vein and is often used for venipuncture . It lies in the cubital fossa superficial to the bicipital aponeurosis.There exists a fair amount of variation of the median cubital vein...
. The layout of superficial veins in the forearm is highly variable from person to person, and there are generally a variety of other unnamed superficial veins that the basilic vein communicates with.
About halfway up the arm proper (the part between the shoulder and elbow), the basilic vein typically goes deep, travelling under the muscles. There, around the lower border of the teres major muscle, the anterior and posterior circumflex humeral veins feed into it, just before it joins the brachial veins
Brachial veins
In human anatomy, the brachial veins are venae comitantes of the brachial artery in the arm proper. Because they are deep to muscle, they are considered deep veins. Their course is that of the brachial artery : they begin where radial veins and ulnar veins join...
to form the axillary vein
Axillary vein
In human anatomy, the axillary vein is a large blood vessel that conveys blood from the lateral aspect of the thorax, axilla and upper limb toward the heart...
.
Along with other superficial veins in the forearm, the basilic vein is a possible site for venipuncture
Venipuncture
In medicine, venepuncture, venopuncture or venipuncture is the process of obtaining intravenous access for the purpose of intravenous therapy or for blood sampling of venous blood. This procedure is performed by medical laboratory scientists, medical practitioners, some EMTs, paramedics,...
.
