342 



VEINS OF THE UPPER EXTREMITY. 



vertebrae, and terminates at the root of the neck in the commencement of 

 the vena innominata. In the lower part of the vertebral canal it frequently 

 divides into two branches, one of which advances forwards, while the 

 other passes through the foramen in the transverse process of the seventh 

 cervical vertebra, before opening into the vena innominata. 



The Branches w r hich it receives in its course are the posterior condyloid 

 vein, muscular branches, the cervical meningo-rachidian veins, and near 

 its termination, the superficial and deep cervical veins. 



The Inferior thyroid veins, two, and frequently more in number, are 

 situated one on each side of the trachea, and receive the venous blood 

 from the thyroid gland. They communicate with each other, and with 

 the superior thyroid veins, and form a plexus upon the front of the trachea. 

 The right vein terminates in the right vena innominata, just at its union 

 with the superior cava, and the left in the left vena innominata. 



VEINS OF THE UPPER EXTREMITY. 



The veins of the upper extremity are the deep and superficial. The 

 deep veins accompany the branches and trunks of the arteries, and consti- 

 tute their venae comites. The vense comites of the radial and ulnar arte- 

 ries are enclosed in the same sheath with those vessels, and terminate at 

 the bend of the elbow in the brachial veins. The brachial venae comites 

 are situated one on each side of the artery, and open into the axillary 

 vein ; the axillary becomes the subclavian, and the subclavian unites with 

 the internal jugular to form the vena innominata. 



The Superficial veins of the fore-arm are the 



Anterior ulnar vein, 

 Posterior ulnar vein, 

 Basilic vein, 

 Radial vein, 

 Cephalic vein, 

 Median vein, 

 Median basilic, 

 Median cephalic. 



The interior ulnar vein collects the venous blood 

 from the inner border of the hand, and from the 

 vein of the little finger, vena salvatella, and ascends 

 the inner side of the fore-arm to the bend of the 

 elbow, where it becomes the basilic vein. 



The Posterior ulnar vein, irregular in size, and 

 frequently absent, commences upon the inner bor- 

 der and posterior aspect of the hand, and ascend- 

 ing the fore-arm, terminates in front of the inner 

 condyle, in the anterior ulnar vein. 



The Basilic vein (/3acrXixoc;, royal, or principal) 

 ascends from the common ulnar vein formed by the 

 two preceding, along the inner side of the upper 

 arm, and near its middle pierces the fascia ; it then 

 passes upwards to the axilla, and becomes the axillary vein. 



* The veins of the fore-arm and bend of the elbow. 1. The radial vein. 2 The 

 cephalic, vein. 3. The anterior ulnar vein. 4. The posterior ulnar vein. 5. The trunk 

 formed by fheh union. 6. The basilic vein, piercing the deep fascia at 7. 9. A com 



Fig. 164.* 



