Human Anatomy Vol 1

UPPEB LIMB

Preaxial border

5 The superficial veins are accompanied by cutaneous

nerves and superficial lymphatics, and not by

arteries. The superficial lymph nodes lie along the

veins, and the deep lymph nodes along the arteries.

6 The superficial veins are best utilised for intravenous

injections.

IndividuolVeins

Dorsef llenousArch

Dorsal venous arch lies on the dorsum of the hand

(Fig. 7 .7 a). Its afferents (tributaries) include:

i. Three dorsal metacarpal veins.

ii. A dorsal digital vein from the medial side of the

little finger.

iii. A dorsal digital vein from the radial side of the index

finger.

iv. Two dorsal digital veins from the thumb.

v. Most of the blood from the palm courses through

veins passing around the margins of the hand and

also by perforating veins passing through the

interosseous spaces. Pressure on the palm during

gripping fails to impede the venous retum due to

the mode of drainage of the palm into the dorsal

venous arch. Its efferents are the cephalic and basilic

verns.

Cepholic Vein

Cephalic vein is the preaxial vein of the upper limb

(cf. great saphenous vein of the lower limb).

Figs 7.6a and b: Dermatomes: (a) Anterior aspect, and (b) posterior aspect

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It begins from the lateral end of the dorsal venous

arch.

It runs upwards:

i. Through the roof of the anatomical snuff box,

ii. Winds round the lateral border of the distal part

of the forearm (Fig.7.7b),

iii. Continues upwards in front of the elbow and

along the lateral border of the biceps brachii,

iv. Pierces the deep fascia at the lower border of the

pectoralis major,

v. Runs in the deltopectoral groove up to the

infraclavicular fossa, where

vi. It pierces the clavipectoral fascia and joins the

axillary vein (see Fig. 3.12).

At the elbow, the greater part of its blood is drained

into the basilic vein through the median cubital aein, and

partly also into the deep veins through the perforator

vein.

It is accompanied by the lateral cutaneous nerve of

the forearm, and the terminal part of the radial nerve.

An accessory cephalic vein is sometimes present' It

ends by joining the cephalic vein near the elbow.

Bosilic Vein

Basilic vein is the postaxial vein of the upper limb

(cf. short saphenous vein of the lower limb).

It begins from the medial end of the dorsal venous

arch (Fig.7.7a).