Chap. 2$.] Feins of the lower Extremities. itf 



The vena axillaris, which correfponds with the artery 

 of the fame name, is formed by all the veins of the 

 fuperior extremity. Above the axilla it receives 

 branches from all the mufcles fituatec! about the fcapula, 

 and the upper part of the thorax. Where it pafles be- 

 tween the clavicle and firft rib, it changes its name from 

 that of the axillary vein to that of the fubclavian. The 

 fubclavian veins, receive the contents of the jugular 

 and vertebral veins which come from the head, and 

 alfo other branches from adjoining parts. The left 

 fubclavian vein alfo receives a particular vein, called 

 the imercoftalis fuperior, which proceeds from the 

 upper intercoftal mufcles of that fide. The left fub- 

 clavian vein alfo receives the contents of the thoracic 

 duct, which is defcribed in^another place. 



The two fubclavian veins are directed towards each 

 other, and uniting in the upper part of the thorax, ra- 

 ther towards the right fide, conftitute the vena cava 

 fuperior. Into the upper part of the vena cava opens 

 a vein of confiderable fize, called the vena azygos, or 

 the vein without a fellow. This arifes from the lower 

 and internal part of the thorax, and foon pafles over to 

 the right part of the fpine. As it afcends along the 

 right fide of the thorax, it receives the inferior inter- 

 coftal veins of that fide, and higher up a trunk com- 

 mon to two or three veins, which alfo come from the 

 intercoftals. At the top of the thorax it is bent for- 

 wards over the right lung, and opens into the vena cava 

 a little above the pericardium. The vena cava now 

 perforates the pericardium, and defcends to the anterior 

 or right auricle of the heart. 



The veins of the lower extremities, which terminate 

 in the vena cava inferior, are 



The vena faphena major, which begins on/ the infide 

 of the foot, at the great toe, and runs to the inner ankle; 



VOL. III. S here 



