468 



VEIN'S OF THE UPPER LIMB. 



exist in their whole course. Thus, those which lie beneath the integument 

 are connected to each other by branches in the hand and forearm. The 

 veins in each pair of vense comites are also united by short transverse 

 vessels crossing the artery which they accompany, whilst between those 

 attending different arteries frequent connections exist. Lastly, the sub- 

 cutaneous and the deep veins communicate freely, especially in the neigh- 

 bourhood of joints. This general anastomosis ensures the continuance of 

 the circulation during muscular action in the frequent and varied motions 

 of the limb. 



AXILLARY VEIN. 



The axillary vein returns all the blood from the upper limb : its size is 

 very considerable, and it is the highest of the veins of the upper limb in 

 which valves are constantly found. It extends, like the corresponding 

 artery, from the lower border of the axilla to the outer margin of the first 

 rib ; it is covered by the pectoral muscles and the costo-coracoid membrane, 

 and is placed to the inner side of the axillary artery. It is continuous 

 below with the basilic vein of the arm, either alone or in conjunction with 

 one of the deep brachial veins. 



Fig. 319. 



Fig. 319. VIEW OP THE BLOODVESSELS OF THE RIGHT AXILLA AND ARM FROM THE 

 INNER SIDE (from R. Quain). 



The detailed description of this figure will be found at p. 382. The following numbers 

 indicate the principal veins : 2, the axillary vein ; 3, basilic vein; 3', median basilic ; 

 4, 4', cephalic vein joining the acromial thoracic and axillary ; 6, alar thoracic and 

 subscapular ; 7, one of the brachial veins. 



TRIBUTARIES. The axillary vein receives the subcutaneous veins of the 

 arm, viz. the basilic at its commencement, the cephalic towards its termination ; 

 and between these the companion veins of the brachial artery ; it is also 

 joined by the several veins corresponding with the branches of the axillary 



