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Concept Version 13
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Veins of the Thorax

The veins of the thorax drain deoxygenated blood from the thorax region for return to the heart.

Learning Objective

  • Differentiate among the veins of the thorax


Key Points

    • Major veins of the thorax include the superior and inferior vena cava.
    • The superior vena cava is formed by the left and right brachiocephalic veins,  which receive blood from the upper limbs, head and neck.
    • The inferior vena cava returns blood from the abdomen and lower limbs. The hepatic veins of the liver and renal veins of the kidney drain directly into the inferior vena cava.

Terms

  • superior vena cava

    Formed from the left and right brachiocephalic veins, this vein returns deoxygenated blood from the upper half of the body and carries blood from the upper limbs, head, and neck via the thyroid and jugular veins.

  • inferior vena cava

    Returns blood from the abdomen and lower limbs to the right atrium of the heart.

  • supreme intercostal vein

    A paired vein that drains the first intercostal space on its corresponding side.

  • internal thoracic vein

    Drains the chest wall and breasts.


Full Text

Two venae cavae return deoxygenated blood from the systemic circulation to the right atrium of the heart.

The superior vena cava, formed from the left and right brachiocephalic veins, returns deoxygenated blood from the upper half of the body and carries blood from the upper limbs, head, and neck via the thyroid and jugular veins. It is joined just before entering the heart by the azygos vein, which runs up the right side of the thoracic vertebral column and transports blood from the external thoracic cavity.

The internal thoracic vein is a vessel that drains the chest wall and breasts. Bilaterally, it arises from the superior epigastric vein, accompanies the internal thoracic artery along its course, and terminates in the brachiocephalic vein.

The supreme intercostal vein is a paired vein that drains the first intercostal space on its corresponding side. It usually drains into the brachiocephalic vein.

Veins of the Thorax

The veins of the thorax are shown in blue.

This diagram of the thoracic veins indicates the anterior jugular, external jugular, superior thyroid, middle thyroid, internal mammary, azygos vein, inferior phrenic, suprarenal, left and right kidneys.

The inferior vena cava returns blood from the abdomen and lower limbs to the right atrium of the heart. The renal veins from the kidney and hepatic veins of the liver drain directly into the inferior vena cava. Additionally, the superior and inferior phrenic veins drain the diaphragm and usually open into the internal mammary vein and inferior vena cava, respectively.

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