846 THE VASCULAR SYSTEM. 
The median vein (v. mediana cubiti) commences, as a rule, on the dorsal 
aspect of the base of the thumb by the union of a number of efferents from the 
dorsal plexus; it turns round the radial border of the forearm, receives numerous 
tributaries from the radial and median portions of the palm, and ascends to the 
middle of the bend of the elbow, where it is joined by the deep median vein, a 
large anastomosing channel which connects it with the deep veins, and immediately 
afterwards terminates by dividing into median cephalic and median basilic 
branches. 
The median cephalic (y. mediana cephalica), or outer branch of the median vein, 
runs upwards and outwards in the groove between the biceps and the supinator 
longus muscles. It crosses the musculo-cutaneous nerve superficially, and terminates, 
a short distance above 
the external condyle, by 
uniting with the radial 
vein to form the cephale 
Basilie vein ae 
The median basilic 
vein (v. mediana basilica) 
Brachialis anticus 
muscle is the inner branch of the 
Biceps muscle w=! internal median vein. Running 
mac nsous more transversely than 
the median cephahe vein, 
it passes upwards and 
inwards along the groove 
eet) between fhe biceps and 
_ Brachialis ao 
anticus muscle the pronator radi. teres. 
__ Brachial on a 5 : 
artery It is crossed superficially 
—Median basilie by the anterior terminal 
ye. 2 . 
branch of the internal 
Bicipital fascia _eytaneous nerve; it lies 
Antenioruinar UPOR the bicipital fascia, 
vein which separates it from 
Fnarartery) ithe’ brachial” arbenyesame 
Deep median it terminates by uniting 
veln : . 
with the anterior and 
. posterior ulnar veins to 
Pronator radii 2 eee i 
teres muscle form the basilie vein. 
The radial vein (v. 
radialis) commences in 
the dorsal venous plexus 
of the hand, and, after 
recelving some of the 
po) 
dorsal digital veins of the 
Fic, 586.—SuPERFICIAL VEINS AT THE BEND OF THE ELBOW. thumb, runs up the radial 
border of the forearm in 
relation with the anterior division of the musculo-cutaneous nerve. It receives 
tributaries from the subéutaneous tissue through which it passes, and terminates 
at the outer side of the bend of the elbow by uniting with the median cephalic 
branch of the median vein to form the cephalic vein. It contains several valves. 
The anterior and posterior ulnar veins (vv. ulnares) vary considerably in size, 
but as a rule the posterior is the larger. Both are provided with valves. 
The anterior ulnar vein commences at the base of the little finger, by the union 
of tributaries from the ulnar part of the dorsal venous plexus and from the ulnar 
side of the palm; it ascends along the front of the ulnar side of the forearm, and 
it terminates in the basilic branch of the median vein. 
The posterior ulnar vein commences in the dorsal venous plexus; it receives 
the ulnar dorsal digital vein of the little finger, and ascends along the dorsal side of 
the ulnar aspect of the forearm. It terminates by joining the basilie branch of 
the median vein to form the basilic vein. 
Cephalic vein __ Posterior 
ulnar vein 
— Median nerve 
Radial 
recurrent artery — 
Musculo- 
cutaneous nerve 
Median cephalic 
vein 
Accessory 
radial vein — 
Supinator 
longus muscle — 
Radial artery 
Median vein 
Radial vein 
