Anatomy study note · Thorax

Brachiocephalic veins

Each brachiocephalic vein is formed at the root of the neck by the union of the subclavian and internal jugular veins; the two unite to form the superior vena cava.

Key points

• Subclavian + internal jugular → brachiocephalic.
• Left: long, oblique, behind the manubrium.
• Both → superior vena cava.
• Thoracic duct ends at the left venous angle.
• Left brachiocephalic: transverse intercardinal anastomosis.
• Vein: thin wall, adventitia thickest, valves.
• Veins hold ~70% of the blood.

The full note in the atlas also covers

Features · Tributaries · Histology · Development

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Written from

• Snell’s Clinical Anatomy by Regions, 10th ed., ch. 5, PDF pp. 647–648, 651; ch. 4, PDF p. 511
• Inderbir Singh’s Human Embryology, ch. 15, PDF p. 264
• BRS Cell Biology & Histology, 7th ed., ch. 11, PDF pp. 203–205

More from the thorax

• Bronchopulmonary segments
• Coronary sinus and cardiac veins
• Costal cartilages
• Descending thoracic aorta
• Diaphragm
• Esophagus
• First rib
• Heart
• Intercostal arteries
• Intercostal muscles
• Intercostal nerves
• Internal thoracic artery

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