AXILLARY AND SUBCLAVIAN VEINS. 343 



The Radial vein commences in the large vein of the thumb, on the 

 auter and posterior aspect of the hand, and ascends along the outer bor- 

 der of the fore-arm to the bend of the elbow, where it becomes the cepha- 

 lic vein. 



The Cephalic vein (xstpaXr,, the head) ascends along the outer side of 

 the arm to its upper third ; it then enters the groove between the pectora- 

 lis major arid deltoid muscle, where it is in relation with the descending 

 branch of the thoracico-acromialis artery, and terminates beneath the cla- 

 vicle in the subclavian vein. A large communicating branch sometimes 

 crosses the clavicle between the external jugular and this vein, which 

 gives it the appearance of being derived directly from the head hence 

 its appellation. 



The Median vein is intermediate in position between the anterior ulnar 

 and radial vein ; it collects the blood from the anterior aspect of the fore- 

 arm, communicating with the two preceding. At the bend of the elbow 

 it receives a branch from the deep veins, and divides into two branches, 

 the median cephalic and median basilic. 



The Median cephalic vein, generally the smaller of the* two, passes 

 obliquely outwards, in the groove between the biceps and supinator longus, 

 to join the cephalic vein. The branches of the external cutaneous nerve 

 pass behind it. 



The Median basilic vein passes obliquely inwards, in the groove be- 

 tween the biceps and pronator radii teres, and terminates in the basilic 

 vein. This vein is crossed by one or two filaments of the internal cuta- 

 neous nerve, and is separated from the brachial artery by the aponeurotic 

 slip given off by the tendon of the biceps. 



AXILLARY VEIN. 



The axillary vein is formed by the union of the venae comites of the 

 brachial artery with the basilic vein. It lies in front of the artery, receives 

 numerous branches from the collateral veins of the branches of the axillary 

 artery ; and at the lower border of the first rib becomes the subclavian 

 vein. 



SUBCLAVIAN VEIN. 



The subclavian vein crosses over the first rib and beneath the clavicle, 

 and unites with the internal jugular vein to form the vena innominata. It 

 lies at first in front of the subclavian artery, and then in front of the sca- 

 lenus anticus, which separates it from that vessel. The phrenic and 

 pneumogastric nerves pass between the artery and vein. The veins open- 

 ing into the subclavian are the cephalic below the clavicle, and the external 

 and anterior jugulars above ; occasionally some small veins from the 

 neighbouring parts also terminate in it. 



municating branch between the deep veins of the fore-arm and the upper part of tne 

 median vein. 10. The median cephalic vein. 11. The median basilic. 12. A slight 

 convexity of the deep fascia, formed by the brachial artery. 13. The process of fascia, 

 derived from the tendon of the biceps, which separates the median basilic vein from 

 the brachial artery. 14. The external cutaneous nerve, piercing the deep fascia, and 

 dividing into two branches, which pass behind the median cephalic vein. 15. The in 

 ternal cutaneous nerve, dividing into branches, which pass in front of the median basi- 

 lic vein. 16. The intercosto-humeral cutaneous nerve. 17. The spiral cutaneous nerv>- 

 a branch of the musculo-spirai. 



