Right brachiocephalic vein

At a glance

English

Right brachiocephalic vein

Latin (TA2)

Vena brachiocephalica dextra

System

Vein

Region

Trunk

Side

Single, on the midline

About the right brachiocephalic vein

The right brachiocephalic vein, or right innominate vein, collects blood from the right side of the head and neck and from the right upper limb. It is formed behind the medial end of the right clavicle, at the sternoclavicular joint, where the right internal jugular vein and the right subclavian vein unite. It is short, only about two and a half centimetres, and runs almost straight down.

From its origin it descends in the superior mediastinum, close to the right edge of the manubrium. On its right lie the right pleura and lung, with the right phrenic nerve running down between the vein and the pleura. Medially and behind it lie the brachiocephalic trunk and the right vagus nerve. Behind the lower margin of the first right costal cartilage, where it meets the manubrium, it is joined by the much longer left brachiocephalic vein, and the superior vena cava begins.

Apart from its two roots it receives the right vertebral vein, the right internal thoracic vein along its lower border, and sometimes the right inferior thyroid vein, which usually drains to the left vein, on its upper border. The right lymphatic duct, or separate lymph trunks, empty near its origin at the right venous angle. The right superior intercostal vein does not join it, since on this side the upper intercostal spaces drain to the azygos instead. In development the right vein is formed from part of the right anterior cardinal vein, whereas the left arises as a new cross-link.

Because the right brachiocephalic vein, the superior vena cava and the right atrium lie almost in a straight line, the right internal jugular vein is the favoured route for central venous catheters and dialysis lines. Tumours in the upper chest, especially lung cancer and lymphoma, can compress the brachiocephalic veins and the superior vena cava, causing swelling of the face, neck and arms.

Course and drainage

Begins at

Formed behind the right sternoclavicular joint by the union of the right internal jugular and right subclavian veins.

Drains into

Descends almost vertically to join the left brachiocephalic vein behind the lower border of the right first costal cartilage; the superior vena cava starts here.

Drains

Drains the right side of the head and neck and the right upper limb, receiving the right vertebral and internal thoracic veins.