Axillary vein
From Ganfyd
The axillary vein is the major vein of the axilla. It is a continuation of the basilic vein and a tributary of the subclavian vein.
| Axillary vein | |
|---|---|
 Veins of the axilla | |
| System: | Venous system |
| Function: | |
| Origin: | basilic vein |
| Branches: | |
| Insertion: | Drains into the subclavian vein |
| Arterial supply: | |
| Venous drainage: | upper limb |
| Lymphatic drainage: | |
| Innervation: | |
| Vertebral levels: | |
| Search for Axillary vein in Gray's. | |
Contents |
Course
The axillary vein begins as a continuation of the basilic vein as it passes beneath the lower border of teres major into the axilla. The vein expands as it ascends, ending at the outer border of the first rib to become the subclavian vein. It lies medial to the axillary artery, with the medial cord of the brachial plexus, the median nerve, the ulnar nerve and the medial pectoral nerve between the two vessels. It receives the cephalic vein shortly before it becomes the subclavian vein.
Origin
Tributaries
- Cephalic vein
- Brachial vein
- Venae commitantes to correspond with the branches of the axillary artery
Outflow
Valves
- A pair of valves opposite the lower border of subscapularis
- At the ends of the cephalic vein and subscapular vein (the venae commitantes of the subscapular artery)
