Sechenov School
Home › Human Anatomy › Systemic Veins

Systemic Veins of the Body

Venae circuli sanguiferi majoris

For medical students2 min readUpdated 2026-10-10

Systemic veins collect and transport deoxygenated blood from all body tissues back to the right atrium. This system includes major trunks, such as the venae cavae, as well as branched venous networks of the limbs, trunk, head, and neck.

Scalene hiatusThe anatomical passage where the subclavian vein crosses the superior surface of the first rib.
Venous angleThe junction point where the subclavian and internal jugular veins merge.
Double valveLocated directly at the mouth of the subclavian vein before its termination.
AnastomosisConnects superficial and deep veins in the region of the cubital fossa.

General Architecture of the Venous System

The systemic venous system is an extensive network collecting blood from the entire periphery toward the heart. According to the general scheme, venous drainage is directed through the superior and inferior venae cavae systems.

This broad anatomical division traditionally includes:

Further study of the venous system involves examining the hepatic portal vein, the pelvic vasculature, lower limb veins, and the vertebral venous plexuses.

Topography of the Subclavian Vein

The subclavian vein (v. subclavia) is the direct continuation of the axillary vein (v. axillaris). Its topography has strict landmarks: the vessel lies on the superior surface of the first rib and passes through the scalene hiatus (spatium ante scalenum). Here, it is positioned anterior to the insertion of the anterior scalene muscle (m. scalenus anterior). The vein terminates at the posterior surface of the sternoclavicular joint (articulatio sternoclavicularis).

At its termination, the vessel features a double valve. By merging with the internal jugular vein (v. jugularis interna), the subclavian vein forms the brachiocephalic vein (v. brachiocephalica). The localization of this union is termed the venous angle (angulus venosus), right or left, respectively.

Tributaries of the subclavian vein include:

  1. Dorsal scapular vein (v. dorsalis scapulae) — forms an anastomosis with the external jugular vein.
  2. Pectoral veins (vv. pectorales) — may also drain into the cephalic or axillary veins.
  3. Thoracoacromial vein (v. thoracoacromialis) — an inconstant tributary accompanying the corresponding artery and frequently draining into the superficial veins of the upper limb.

Forearm Veins: Superficial and Deep

In the forearm, there is a clear division into superficial and deep venous networks running beneath the forearm fascia (fascia antebrachii). Superficial vessels include the cephalic vein (v. cephalica), running along the lateral margin, and the basilic vein (v. basilica), running along the medial margin. In the cubital fossa, they are connected by an anastomotic vessel (vas anastomoticum).

Deep veins consistently accompany arteries and nerves, forming neurovascular bundles:

Landmarks in this region include the biceps brachii muscle (m. biceps brachii), the pronator teres muscle (m. pronator teres), and the flexor digitorum profundus muscle (m. flexor digitorum profundus).

Venous Bed of the Hand

In the hand (manus), the vascular network forms complex structures. An important element is the superficial palmar arch (arcus palmaris superficialis). It gives rise to the common and proper palmar digital veins (vv. digitales palmares communes et propriae).

Blood supply and drainage in this area are closely related to muscular groups:

Many major vessels and nerves of the hand pass deep to a dense band — the flexor retinaculum (retinaculum mm. flexorum).

Frequently asked questions

Where does the brachiocephalic vein drain?

The right and left brachiocephalic veins (vv. brachiocephalicae dextra et sinistra) unite to form the superior vena cava (v. cava superior). Thus, they carry blood directly into the superior vena cava, which is the major vessel draining the head, neck, upper limbs, and thoracic wall.

What venous arches and networks are identified in the hand?

The hand features two palmar venous arches and several venous networks.

  • Superficial palmar venous arch (arcus venosus palmaris superficialis) — poorly developed, accompanies the corresponding artery.
  • Deep palmar venous arch (arcus venosus palmaris profundus) — situated along the deep arterial arch, composed of two anastomosing veins.
  • Dorsal venous network of the hand (rete venosum dorsale manus) — forms on the dorsum of the hand, including the dorsal metacarpal veins.
  • Deep palmar venous network of the carpus — sends small vessels into the deep arch.
What veins form the roots of the hepatic portal vein?

The roots of the hepatic portal vein (v. portae hepatis) are three major abdominal veins.

  • Superior mesenteric vein (v. mesenterica superior) — drains blood from the small intestine, cecum, ascending colon, and transverse colon.
  • Splenic vein (v. lienalis / v. splenica) — collects blood from the spleen, parts of the stomach, and pancreas.
  • Inferior mesenteric vein (v. mesenterica inferior) — collects blood from the walls of the upper rectum, sigmoid colon, and descending colon (frequently draining into the splenic vein).
What are the tributaries of the inferior vena cava?

The tributaries of the inferior vena cava (v. cava inferior) are divided into parietal and visceral groups. Parietal tributaries include:

  • Lumbar veins (vv. lumbales) — 4 on each side, draining the abdominal wall.
  • Inferior phrenic veins (vv. phrenicae inferiores) — paired, draining the inferior surface of the diaphragm.

Visceral tributaries include:

  • Hepatic veins (vv. hepaticae) — right, intermediate, and left.
  • Suprarenal veins (vv. suprarenales) — right drains into the inferior vena cava, left frequently drains into the left renal vein.
  • Renal veins (vv. renales) — emerge from the renal hilum.
  • Testicular/Ovarian veins (vv. testiculares / vv. ovaricae) — right drains directly into the inferior vena cava, left drains into the left renal vein.
What tributaries does the azygos vein have?

The azygos vein (v. azygos) receives blood from the thoracic wall and mediastinal organs. Its tributaries include:

  • Hemiazygos vein (v. hemiazygos).
  • Right superior intercostal vein (v. intercostalis superior dextra).
  • Right posterior intercostal veins (vv. intercostales posteriores) — from the IVth to XIth spaces, including the subcostal vein (v. subcostalis).
  • Right supreme intercostal vein (v. intercostalis suprema) — drains into it in some cases.
  • Visceral veins — superior phrenic veins (vv. phrenicae superiores), esophageal veins (vv. oesophageales), pericardial veins (vv. pericardiacae), bronchial veins (vv. bronchiales), and mediastinal veins (vv. mediastinales).
Where is the subclavian vein located?

It lies on the superior surface of the first rib, passes through the scalene hiatus strictly anterior to the anterior scalene muscle, and reaches the sternoclavicular joint.

What is the venous angle?

It is the anatomical region where the subclavian and internal jugular veins merge to form the brachiocephalic vein.

What are the main superficial veins of the forearm?

The cephalic vein (v. cephalica) runs along the lateral margin of the forearm, and the basilic vein (v. basilica) runs along the medial margin. They communicate via an anastomosis in the cubital fossa.

What tributaries drain into the subclavian vein?

Its tributaries include the dorsal scapular vein, pectoral veins, and occasionally the inconstant thoracoacromial vein.

Go deeper

More topics in Human Anatomy

Fascia of the Forearm and HandPelvic and Thigh Muscles: Tensor Fasciae Latae and Vastus MusclesPopliteal ArteryExtensor Digitorum Brevis MuscleArteries of the LegArteries of the FootDiaphragmVertebral Venous Plexuses: Anatomy and DrainagePortosystemic and Caval-Caval AnastomosesGeneral AngiologyFetal CirculationLymphatic Vessels and Lymph Nodes of the Upper LimbHuman Anatomy →