what is the function of the cephalic vein

Full Answer

What does cephalic vein mean?

The cephalic vein is a superficial vein of the upper limb and it’s one of the two main veins of the arm. Its name derives from ‘cephalic’ meaning head, as the vein runs up to the shoulder. The superficial venous network is the source of blood for most blood tests, and is the easiest place to access venous blood.

Is the cephalic vein good for drawing blood?

The cephalic vein is relatively large and often visible through the skin, and can be an attractive candidate for healthcare practitioners to draw blood through venipuncture. This is also the case for dogs! Collecting blood from the cephalic vein in canines is the most comfortable position for the animal during the procedure.

Where does the cephalic vein begin and end?

Where does the cephalic vein start? Near the shoulder, the cephalic vein passes between the deltoid and pectoralis major muscles (deltopectoral groove) and through the deltopectoral triangle, where it empties into the axillary vein. Similarly, it is asked, where does the cephalic vein originated? Origin.

Where do you find the cephalic vein?

• When there is extensive scarring due to burns or surgery. ...
• When a patient has previous mastectomy, the upper extremity must be avoided because lymphedema ( http://www.breastcancer.org/treatment/lymphedema) may affect test results.
• When possible hematoma is expected, resulting in erroneous test results.

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Where does the cephalic vein run?

In the upper part of the arm, the cephalic vein runs in the deltopectoral groove, where it is accompanied by the deltoid branch of the thoracoacromial artery. It then pierces the clavipectoral fascia to drain into the axillary vein just below the clavicle.

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.

What nerve travels with cephalic vein?

The superficial branch of the radial nerve (SBRN), which runs close to the cephalic vein, exhibits various bifurcation patterns [2, 3].

What is the last choice vein for venipuncture?

Summary. The basilic vein is responsible for taking blood that doesn't have oxygen from the arms back to the heart and lungs, where it's given oxygen again. While you can usually see it clearly, it's considered a last resort in medical procedures.

What is a cephalic vein?

Veins are blood vessels that carry oxygen-depleted blood from the capillaries back to the heart.

What is the most commonly used vein for intravenous catheters?

The cephalic is one of the most commonly used veins for intravenous catheters. However, its close proximity to the radial nerve sometimes causes it to be damaged when the vein is cannulated. Last medically reviewed on November 18, 2014.

Where does the cannula go in the axillary vein?

It passes between the deltoid and pectoralis major muscles, via the ‘deltopectoral groove’, through the deltopectoral triangle. It ultimately empties into the axillary vein. In most people, it is easy to insert a large cannulae into this vein.

Where does blood flow in the arm?

In human anatomy, blood flows from a variety of smaller veins, draining into the cephalic vein. This is the large vein in the upper arm that runs from the hand to the shoulder, along the outer edge of the biceps muscle. It passes between the deltoid and pectoralis major muscles, via the ‘deltopectoral groove’, through the deltopectoral triangle.

Where does the cephalic vein ascend?

The vein continues to ascend in the superficial fascia anterolateral to biceps brachii and superficial to the lateral cutaneous nerve of the forearm, which is a sensory branch of the musculocutaneous nerve (ventral rami of C5-7) that innervates the muscles of the anterior compartment of the arm. The cephalic vein continues to ascend in ...

Where is the cephalic vein located in a cadaver?

Superficial veins of the upper limb in the cadaver. 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 is the name of the vein that drains into the axillary vein?

It crosses the clavipectoral fascia and axillary artery to drain into the axillary vein below the clavicle. The axillary vein is renamed the subclavian vein once it passes the lateral border of the first rib, and the subclavian vein unites with the internal jugular vein to form the brachiocephalic vein.

What is the name of the vein that runs up to the shoulder?

Cephalic vein. The cephalic vein is a superficial vein of the upper limb and it's one of the two main veins of the arm. Its name derives from ‘cephalic’ meaning head, as the vein runs up to the shoulder. The superficial venous network is the source of blood for most blood tests, and is the easiest place to access venous blood.

What is a varicose vein?

Varicose veins are engorged tortuous superficial veins that result from incompetence of the valves that separate the deep and superficial venous systems, resulting in a buildup of venous blood in the superficial venous system.

What part of the hand drains the cephalic vein?

In this article we will discuss the anatomy and clinical relevance of the cephalic vein. 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. Key facts about the cephalic vein.

When is central venous access required?

When a patient’s peripheral veins are too small or incompetent, central venous access may be required. This is traditionally in the form of a central line into the subclavian vein. However the cephalic vein has presented an alternative where venous access is faster, easier and does not risk the complications of central venous access, i.e. pneumothorax. Other purposes of a cephalic vein cutdown include the percutaneous placement of pacemaker leads into the heart, and the placement of a long-term venous catheter.

What is the cephalic vein?

Definition. The cephalic vein is a superficial vein in the upper arm that is often visible through the skin. The name means head (likely coming from the Latin ‘cephalicus’ or the Greek ‘kephalikos’). Veins form a complex network that allows all the tissues of the body to transport deoxygenated blood back to the heart.

Where does the cephalic vein form?

The cephalic vein forms from the dorsal venous network, which is the collection of veins on the back of the hand. This network is clearly visible on most people, due to the lack of subcutaneous fat in the area. Specifically, the cephalic vein forms from the lateral end of the dorsal venous arch, which is a connection of the dorsal metacarpal veins.

Why is the cephalic vein used in pacemakers?

Additionally, the cephalic vein is often where the leads of permanent pacemakers are inserted to maintain an adequate heart rate. This is because, at the deltopectoral groove, the anatomy and location are highly consistent between individuals, so it is a reliable choice.

What is the name of the vein that empties blood into the axillary vein?

Thus, this is where the cephalic vein terminates. At this point, the axillary vein is now called the subclavian vein . The subclavian vein then meets the internal jugular vein to form the brachiocephalic vein.

Where is the accessory cephalic vein?

The accessory cephalic vein joins the cephalic vein just below the elbow. The anatomy of this vein is variable. Sometimes it arises from the dorsal venous network; other times, it stems from a small network of veins on the back of the forearm.

Where does the dorsal venous arch drain?

The dorsal venous arch drains into the basilic vein and the cephalic vein. The cephalic vein runs along the ‘thumb-side’ of the forearm, whereas the basilic vein runs along the ‘pinky-side.’. After it is formed at the back of the hand, the cephalic vein then crosses the roof of the anatomical snuff box, which is a small triangular deepening ...

Which nerve innervates the anterior muscles of the forearm?

It innervates the anterior muscles of the forearm. Finally, the cephalic vein pierces the deep fascia at the lower border of the pectoralis major muscle (commonly called the ‘pecs’ or the chest muscle).

Where is the cephalic vein located?

Anatomical terminology. In human anatomy, the cephalic vein is a superficial vein in the arm. 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 .

What is the meaning of the term "cephalic"?

Ordinarily the term cephalic refers to anatomy of the head. When the Persian Muslim physician Ibn Sīnā 's Canon was translated into medieval Latin, cephalic was mistakenly chosen to render the Arabic term al-kífal, meaning "outer".

Can a vein be used for intravenous access?

The vein may be used for intravenous access, as large bore cannula may be easily placed. However, the cannulation of a vein as close to the radial nerve as the cephalic vein can sometimes lead to nerve damage.

Where does the cephalic vein run?

In the elbow, it crosses superficial to the musculocutaneous nerve and ascends along the lateral border of the biceps brachii muscle. In the upper part of the arm, the cephalic vein runs in the deltopectoral groove, where it is accompanied by the deltoid branch of the thoracoacromial artery. It then pierces the clavipectoral fascia to drain into the axillary vein just below the clavicle.

Where is the cephalic vein located in the arm?

In the upper part of the arm, the cephalic vein runs in the deltopectoral groove, where it is accompanied by the deltoid branch of the thoracoacromial artery.

Where does the suprafascial line go?

Its suprafascial course in the forearm usually follows a line between just dorsal to the radial styloid and the radial aspect of antecubital fossa, where it picks up drainage from a confluence between a deep perforating vein and the median antecubital vein.

What veins are used for venipuncture in chinchilla?

Although typically only small amounts of blood may be obtained due to the small size of the cephalic vein, this vessel, along with the jugular and femoral veins, are preferred venipuncture sites in the chinchilla since most phlebotomists are familiar and have experience with these vessels in other species.

How many venae comitantes are there in the radial artery?

For both radial artery and ulnar arteries, there are two accompanying venae comitantes each. Usually one has a slightly larger caliber than the other. Most of the time, an end-to-end anastomosis into the larger vein provides adequate drainage.

Where is the saphenous vein dissected?

The saphenous vein can be dissected from the medial ankle distally all the way to the saphenofemoral junction proximally. Similar to the cephalic and external jugular veins, this vein can be harvested through a direct overlying incision or through multiple step-like incisions. The length of vein dissected is determined by the degree of transposition needed to the appropriate recipient site and recipient artery.

Can veins be venous recipients?

Many other veins in the forearm may also serve as venous recipients. However, caution should be exercised in using any of them. Often, it may not be readily obvious that there is more proximal injury to the vein in question. If the vein easily flushes with no extravasation, it partially alleviates the concern.

Where do cephalic veins go?

The cephalic veins are big veins that go up the arm’s lateral side. They start at the hand and go all the way to the shoulder. When the veins arrive at the shoulder, they drive deep into the tissues and then drain into the axillary vein. When the cephalic veins and the axillary vein merge together, they form the subclavian vein.

What is accessory cephalic vein?

The accessory cephalic vein is the name for a variable vein that travels alongside the forearm’s radial or thumb-side border.

Which vein drains into the superior vena cava?

The subclavian vein ultimately drains into the superior vena cava. Within the elbow’s bend, a medial cubital vein arises out of the cephalic veins and then transfers to the basilic vein. The basilic vein is frequently used for blood samples.

Overview

Drainage of blood from different body parts is a very crucial process for the optimal functioning of our body. Blood draining through via different veins carry waste, nutrient (in the hepatic portal vein), and excretory products that need to be excreted from the body, for example, carbon dioxide ( CO2 ).

Structure

There are two main veins are draining the upper limb (the arms and shoulder girdle). These are namely cephalic vein and the basilic vein. Cephalic refers to the anatomy of the head, hence the name of this vein as it courses upwards towards the shoulder.

Clinical Significance

Cephalic vein is used as an alternate route to access the central veinous system i.e., superior vena cava, pulmonary artery, etc. It is also used to place a percutaneouspacemaker of the heart and for the placement of a long-term venous catheter .

Associated Disorders

Due to the low pressure of blood coursing through the veins, the veins get engorged with blood sometimes. This can happen due to inefficient flap valves present in the veins that prevent the backflow and pooling of blood. Also, long periods of inactivity can cause veins to become tortuous and engorged with blood leading to varicose veins.