What is the function of the cephalic vein

The cephalic vein drains the radial part of the hand, forearm and arm and communicates along its course with the basilic vein, which drains the ulnar part. The cephalic vein empties directly into the axillary vein.

Where does cephalic vein drain into?

Near the shoulder, the cephalic vein passes between the deltoid and pectoralis major muscles (deltopectoral groove) and through the clavipectoral triangle, where it empties into the axillary vein.

Why is the cephalic vein used for venipuncture?

These findings and the present results indicate that the cephalic vein at the cubital fossa is a relatively safe venipuncture site because of its distance from the median nerve, brachial artery, and superficial nerve.

Does cephalic vein carry oxygenated blood?

To get from the hand to the heart, the deoxygenated blood flows up through either the basilic or cephalic veins, which transport it through the shoulder area and back to the heart.

Why is cephalic vein called?

Its name derives from ‘cephalic’ meaning head, as the vein runs up to the shoulder. … The cephalic vein drains the radial part of the hand, forearm and arm and communicates along its course with the basilic vein, which drains the ulnar part. The cephalic vein empties directly into the axillary vein.

What is cephalic anatomy?

Cephalic: Relating to the head or the head end of the body. Situated on, in, or near the head. Cephalic is synonymous with cranial, relating to the cranium or head.

What is a radial vein?

The radial vein is a paired vessel found in the lateral forearm, extending from the hand to the cubital fossa. … The main function of the radial vein is to drain the venous blood from the deep structures of the hand, the lateral forearm and the elbow joint.

Which vein is used for phlebotomy?

Of these, the median cubital vein is usually the vein of choice for phlebotomy: It is typically more stable (less likely to roll), it lies more superficially, and the skin overlying it is less sensitive than the skin overlying the other veins. Antecubital veins, right arm.

Why does the vein in my finger hurt?

If a hand infection, trauma, or autoimmune disease causes a vein to become inflamed, the vein could swell. Superficial thrombophlebitis. Superficial thrombophlebitis is an inflammation of a superficial vein (phlebitis) caused by a blood clot (thrombus).

Is the radial vein a superficial or deep vein?

The radial vein is one of the two major deep veins of the forearm, along with the ulnar vein. As is usual in the upper and lower limbs, there are often two veins (venae comitantes) that run on either side of the radial artery and anastomose freely with each other. It forms in the hand from the deep palmar venous arch.

Article first time published on

What vein is most commonly used for venipuncture?

Venipuncture. The median cubital vein in the antecubital fossa is the most commonly used site due to its accessibility and size, followed by the neighboring cephalic and basilic veins [13,49,51,52].

Is cephalic a deep vein?

Superficial veins — The main superficial veins of the upper extremity include the cephalic, basilic, median cubital, and accessory cephalic veins (figure 1).

Is cephalic vein paired?

The cephalic and basilic veins directly joined together in the middle of the cubital fossa. The brachial vein began from this point and, unlike the normal anatomy location, there was no paired brachial vein; rather, it was one unpaired brachial vein.

What are the 3 main veins to draw blood?

3.05. The most site for venipuncture is the antecubital fossa located in the anterior elbow at the fold. This area houses three veins: the cephalic, median cubital, and basilic veins (Figure 1).

What vein drains the radial and ulnar veins?

Drains fromDeep palmar archDrains toBrachial veinsDrainage areaMedial aspect of forearm

What is digital vein?

Anatomical terminology. The palmar digital veins (or volar digital veins) on each finger are connected to the dorsal digital veins by oblique intercapitular veins. Some sources distinguish between the “proper palmar digital veins”, which are more distal, and the “common palmar digital veins”, which are more proximal.

Is the axillary vein superficial or deep?

Deep veins — The deep veins of the upper extremity include the paired ulnar, radial, and interosseous veins in the forearm; paired brachial veins of the upper arm; and axillary vein. The axillary vein becomes the subclavian vein at the lower border of the teres major muscle (figure 2).

What does cephalic mean on an ultrasound?

Ideally for labor, the baby is positioned head-down, facing your back, with the chin tucked to its chest and the back of the head ready to enter the pelvis. This is called cephalic presentation.

Is cephalic position good?

About 95 percent of babies drop down into the head-first position a few weeks or days before their due date. This is called the cephalic position, and it’s safest for mom and baby when it comes to giving birth.

Is the cephalic vein a peripheral vein?

In general, the veins preferred for placement of central and peripheral venous access catheters are the internal jugular veins in the neck, the axillary and subclavian veins in the chest, the cephalic and basilic veins in the upper extremities, and the superficial femoral and common femoral veins in the lower …

Why is the vein blue?

Veins appear blue because blue light is reflected back to our eyes. … Blue light does not penetrate human tissue as deeply as red light does. … In short, our veins appear blue because of a trick that light plays on our eyes and how the light interacts with our body and skin.

What do veiny hands mean?

Veiny arms may be a sign that your body is stressed from your fitness or daily routine. Increased stress levels can cause vascularity due to higher levels of the stress hormone cortisol. Another hormone called aldosterone can cause water and sodium retention along with increased blood pressure.

How do I get rid of bulging veins in my hands naturally?

  1. Exercise. …
  2. Compression stockings. …
  3. Plant extracts. …
  4. Dietary changes. …
  5. Eat more flavonoids. …
  6. Herbal remedies. …
  7. Choose non-restrictive clothing. …
  8. Keep the legs elevated.

Does drinking water make your veins more visible?

By drinking more water your body will naturally excrete more fluid, thereby decreasing your body’s water retention by means of increasing your metabolism. No matter what, the only way to make your veins more visible is to lower your body fat percentage.

Why do I only have 1 bicep vein?

One of your biceps probably has a single large, visible vein near the surface, whereas the other one probably has multiple veins and/or veins that are deeper. We only see the most superficial veins in our bodies – and then, only if we don’t have much superficial fat.

Is the cephalic vein good for drawing blood?

Located on the lateral portion of the arm, the cephalic vein is the second most common draw site choice. The cephalic vein is a safe alternative to the median antecubital vein when necessary.

What vein should be avoided?

arm vein. Veins in the foot and ankle should be utilized only as a last resort. also be avoided. (See picture.)

Are the largest veins that carry oxygen poor blood back to the heart?

Blood Flow Through the Heart Oxygen-poor blood returns from the body to the heart through the superior vena cava (SVC) and inferior vena cava (IVC), the two main veins that bring blood back to the heart. The oxygen-poor blood enters the right atrium (RA), or the right upper chamber of the heart.

What's the name of the person that draws blood?

You may have said “the person who draws blood.” That is essentially what a phlebotomist does, but there is more to this job than meets the eye. The word “phlebotomy” derives from the Greek “phleps,” meaning “vein,” and “tomia,” meaning “cutting.” Early phlebotomists were trained in the art of bloodletting.

Is a cephalic vein thrombosis a DVT?

DVT-UE must be distinguished from thrombosis of the superficial veins, i.e., the cephalic and basilic veins (1). Idiopathic DVT-UE and cases due to anatomical variants are known as primary DVT-UE.

Where does the radial vein receive blood from?

Radial veinsSourcedeep palmar venous archDrains tobrachial veinsArteryradial arteryIdentifiers

You Might Also Like