Supreme intercostal vein

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Vein: Supreme intercostal vein
Intercostal spaces, viewed from the left. (Highest intercostal vein labeled at upper right.)
The venæ cavæ and azygos veins, with their tributaries. (Highest intercostal labeled, very faintly, written vertically, to the right of the aortic arch.)
Latin vena intercostalis suprema
Gray's subject #172 666
Drains to brachiocephalic vein
Artery intercostal arteries
Dorlands
/ Elsevier
    
v_05/12850652

The supreme intercostal vein (highest intercostal vein) is a paired vein that drains the first intercostal space on its corresponding side.

It usually drains into the brachiocephalic vein.[1] It can also drain into the superior intercostal vein, or the vertebral vein of its corresponding side.

Contents

[edit] Clinical significance

This vein does not have valves, this is an important point when it comes to spread of cancerous secondaries.

[edit] Additional images

[edit] See also

[edit] References

  1. ^ Instant Anatomy - Thorax - Vessels - Veins - Upper intercostal

[edit] External links