664 THE VEINS. 



no uncommon result of this practice. Another disadvantage is, that the median basilic is 

 crossed by some of the branches of the internal cutaneous nerve, and these may be divided in 

 the operation, giving rise to ''traumatic neuralgia of extreme intensity " (Tillaux). 



The Basilic Vein is of considerable size, formed by the coalescence of the 

 common ulnar vein with the median basilic. It passes upward along the inner 

 side of the Biceps muscle, pierces the deep fascia a little below the middle of the 

 arm, and, ascending in the course of the brachial artery, terminates in the axil- 

 lary vein, which receives, a little higher up, the brachial venae comites. 



The Cephalic Vein courses along the outer border of the Biceps muscle, lying 

 in the same groove with the upper external cutaneous branch of the musculo-spival 

 nerve, to the upper third of the arm ; it then passes in the interval between the 

 Pectoralis major and Deltoid muscles, lying in the same groove with the descending 

 branch of the acromial-thoracic artery. It pierces the costo-coracoid membrane, 

 and terminates in the axillary vein just below the clavicle. This vein is occa- 

 sionally connected with the external jugular or subclavian by a branch which 

 passes from it upward in front of the clavicle. 



The Deep Veins of the Upper Extremity follow the course of the arteries, 

 forming their venae comites. They are generally two in number, one lying on 

 each side of the corresponding artery, and they are connected at intervals by 

 short transverse branches. 



There are two digital veins accompanying each artery along the sides of the 

 fingers : these, uniting at their base, pass along the interosseous spaces in the 

 palm, and terminate in the two venae comites which accompany the superficial 

 palmar arch. Branches from these vessels on the radial side of the hand accom- 

 pany the superficialis volae, and on the ulnar side terminate in the deep ulnar 

 veins. The deep ulnar veins, as they pass in front of the wrist, communicate with 

 the interosseous and superficial veins, and at the elbow unite with the deep radial 

 veins to form the venae comites of the brachial artery. 



The Interosseous Veins accompany the anterior and posterior interosseous 

 arteries. The anterior interosseous veins commence in front of the wrist, where 

 they communicate with the deep radial and ulnar veins ; at the upper part of the 

 forearm they receive the posterior interosseous veins, and terminate in the venae 

 comites of the ulnar artery. 



The Deep Palmar Veins accompany the deep palmar arch, being formed by 

 tributaries which accompany the ramifications of that vessel. They communicate 

 with the deep ulnar veins at the inner side of the hand, and on the outer side 

 terminate in the venae comites of the radial artery. At the wrist they receive a 

 dorsal and a palmar tributary from the thumb, and unite with the deep radial 

 veins. Accompanying the radial artery, these vessels terminate in the venae 

 comites of the brachial artery. 



The Brachial Veins are placed one on each side of the brachial artery, 

 receiving tributaries corresponding with the branches given off from that vessel ; 

 just above the lower margin of the tendon of the Latissimus dorsi they empty 

 into the axillary vein. 



These deep veins have numerous anastomoses, not only with each other, but 

 also with the superficial veins. 



The Axillary Vein is of large size, and is the continuation of the basilic vein, 

 receiving the venae comites of the brachial artery. It commences at the lower 

 part of the axillary space, increases in size as it ascends by receiving tributaries 

 corresponding with the branches of the axillary artery, and terminates imme- 

 diately beneath the clavicle at the lower border of the first rib, where it becomes 

 the subclavian vein. This vessel is covered in front by the Pectoral muscles and 

 costo-coracoid membrane, and lies on the thoracic side of the axillary artery, 

 which it partially overlaps. Near its termination it receives the cephalic vein. 

 This vein is provided with a pair of valves opposite the lower border of the Sub- 

 scapularis muscle ; valves are also found at the termination of the cephalic and 

 subscapular veins. 



