595 



and found by us in 16 ^/o, comprising the radial and cephalic veins of 

 the pre -Basle nomenclature. 



In every instance we found the V. cephalica arising as a direct 

 continuation of the radial end of the arcus venosus dorsalis, and in 

 47 7o of cases it receives, as previously stated, a large obliquely di- 

 rected vein from the ulnar end of the arch. 



In the first type the V. cephalica curves round the radial border 

 of the forearm some 4 cm proximal to the processus styloideus of the 

 radius on to the volar surface. Here the vein continues to pass prox- 

 imally and slightly medially until it reaches a point just distal to the 

 bend of the elbow where it gives off the V. mediana cubiti. Continuing 

 its proximal course the V. cephalica runs in the sulcus bicipitalis la- 

 teralis, and then in the trigonum deltoideo-pectorale to its termination. 



In the second type, which we only found in some 16°/o, the V. 

 cephalica lies somewhat more laterally than in the first type, and does 

 not give off the V. mediana cubiti ; but receives instead the V. mediana 

 cephalica from the V. mediana antebrachii. Its subsequent course in 

 the arm, is as in the first type. 



The termination of the V. cephalica was, in our series of cases, 

 remarkably constant. We never found it crossing the clavicula, nor 

 did we find any variations from the normal mode of termination, with 

 two exceptions. 



In one of these two exceptions the V. cephalica turned medially 

 across the distal third of the arm and the M. biceps brachii to ter- 

 minate in the V. basilica. In the second exceptional mode of termi- 

 nation the V. cephalica became continuous with the V. mediana cubiti 

 and so terminated in the V. basilica. 



The V. cephalica of the B.N. A. terminology is, therefore, a re- 

 markably constant structure, and it is not without interest to campare 

 the results of our investigation on this vein with our observations on 

 what was formerly known as the median vein. 



The median vein of the pre-Basle terminology is that vein which 

 divides in the vicinity of the elbow joint into median - cephalic and 

 median-basilic veins. We found this vein remarkably variable alike in 

 its origin, course, and termination; thus, we found the vein had a 

 most variable origin from both extremities of the dorsal venous arch, 

 from the radial side of that arch, from the palmar plexus, from the 

 dorsal palmar plexus, from the plexus of the forearm, or even from 

 the deep median vein. Its course obviously varied in accordance with 

 its variable mode of origin. Even its terminaüon, the most constan 

 fact about the vein, is also liable to many variations, its ultimate di- 

 ss* 



