Basilic vein
From Ganfyd
ΕΤΥΜΟΛΟΓΙΑ
Latin, 'royal'. From the mistaken belief that the left basilic was connected to the spleen and right to the liver, hence bloodletting these veins would drain impurities from the two organs.The basilic vein is a major vein of the forearm and upper arm. It is a tributary of the axillary vein.
Contents |
Course
The basilic vein is a continuation of the medial side of the dorsal venous network of the hand. It runs in the superficial fascia of the posteromedial forearm, inclining anteriorly in the proximal half of the forearm to lie on the anteromedial side of the cubital fossa, where it is joined by the median cubital vein.
| Basilic vein | |
|---|---|
 Veins of the forearm | |
| System: | Venous system |
| Function: | |
| Origin: | Dorsal venous network of the hand, variable veins of the anterior and posterior forearm |
| Branches: | |
| Insertion: | Drains into the axillary vein |
| Arterial supply: | |
| Venous drainage: | upper limb |
| Lymphatic drainage: | |
| Innervation: | |
| Vertebral levels: | |
| Search for Basilic vein in Gray's. | |
It runs proximally in the upper arm between biceps brachii and pronator teres, crossing the brachial artery. Fibres of the medial cutaneous nerve of the forearm split around the vein here. It continues along the medial border of biceps, perforating the deep fascia just distal to the midpoint of the upper arm. Here it runs alongside the medial side of the brachial artery to the lower border of teres major, where it continues as the axillary vein.
Origin
Tributaries
- Variable veins of the anterior and posterior forearm
- Median cubital vein
- Median antebrachial vein
Outflow
- Continues as the axillary vein.
Clinical Relevance
- Used for venepuncture and intravenous cannulation.
