What is the function of cephalic vein?
The cephalic vein drains the lateral side of the superficial venous network of the dorsum, which in turn drains blood from the palm of the hand 2. As it ascends, the cephalic vein drains blood from the lateral aspect of the upper limbs via small superficial veins 1.
Is the cephalic vein a deep vein?
The deep veins of the upper extremity include the paired ulnar, radial, and interosseous veins in the forearm; paired brachial veins of the upper arm; and axillary vein. The basilic and cephalic veins, which are superficial veins, contribute to the axillary vein, though many anatomic variations occur.
What nerve runs with the cephalic vein?
The cephalic vein, which passes the anatomical snuff box in the wrist, is one of the most frequently selected sites in the distal forearm for venous cannulation in Japan [1]. The superficial branch of the radial nerve (SBRN), which runs close to the cephalic vein, exhibits various bifurcation patterns [2, 3].
Why is the cephalic vein used for venipuncture?
These findings and the present results indicate that the cephalic vein at the cubital fossa is a relatively safe venipuncture site because of its distance from the median nerve, brachial artery, and superficial nerve.
Is the cephalic vein upper or lower arm?
The cephalic vein, along with the basilic vein, is one of the primary superficial veins that drain the upper limb 1. It courses through both the forearm and arm and terminates by draining into the axillary vein.
Why is cephalic vein called?
Its name derives from ‘cephalic’ meaning head, as the vein runs up to the shoulder. The cephalic vein drains the radial part of the hand, forearm and arm and communicates along its course with the basilic vein, which drains the ulnar part. The cephalic vein empties directly into the axillary vein.
Is a cephalic vein thrombosis a DVT?
DVT-UE must be distinguished from thrombosis of the superficial veins, i.e., the cephalic and basilic veins (1). Idiopathic DVT-UE and cases due to anatomical variants are known as primary DVT-UE.
How is cephalic vein thrombosis treated?
Treatment of Superficial Venous Thrombosis Treatment traditionally involves warm compresses and NSAIDs. In patients with extensive superficial venous thrombosis, anticoagulation (eg, with low molecular weight heparin, fondaparinux) is often beneficial.
What is a radial vein?
The radial vein is one of the two major deep veins of the forearm, along with the ulnar vein. As is usual in the upper and lower limbs, there are often two veins (venae comitantes) that run on either side of the radial artery and anastomose freely with each other. It forms in the hand from the deep palmar venous arch.
How do you identify cephalic veins?
Cephalic vein is seen coursing through the radial side of the upper limb, towards the axillary vein. The cephalic vein now runs along the groove between the brachioradialis (elbow flexor and forearm supinator) and biceps brachii (forearm supinator and elbow flexor) muscles.
What vein is formed by Union of axillary and cephalic?
The axillary vein is formed at the inferior border of the axilla by the union of the paired brachial veins (venae comitantes of the brachial artery) and the basilic vein 1,2.
What does accessory cephalic vein mean?
The accessory cephalic vein is a variable vein that passes along the radial border of the forearm to join the cephalic vein near the elbow . In some cases the accessory cephalic springs from the cephalic above the wrist and joins it again higher up.
What does the cephalic artery do?
Arteries in the arm carry oxygenated blood, while the veins, including the cephalic vein, carry deoxygenated blood. The cephalic vein is one of two main superficial veins in the human arm that extend from the wrist to the shoulder.
What is Cvi vein?
Chronic venous insufficiency, or CVI, is a fairly common condition effecting up to 40 percent of the U.S. population. This condition is caused when the valves in the leg veins (or sometimes in the arm veins) don’t work properly, resulting in the collection of blood in the legs. ( 1)