Subclavian vein
Dr Matthew Jarvis ◉ et al.
The subclavian vein (SCV) is the major venous channel that drains the upper limb.
Gross anatomy
Origin and course
The subclavian vein starts at the crossing of the lateral border of the 1st rib. It then arches cephalad, posterior to the medial clavicle before curving caudally and receiving its only tributary, the external jugular vein, which drains into the SCV at the lateral border of the anterior scalene muscle. The SCV then joins the internal jugular vein posterior to the sternoclavicular joint, where it forms the brachiocephalic vein. The thoracic duct and right lymphatic trunk drain into the central venous system at this point.
Relations
- posterior: subclavian artery, anterior scalene muscle, 1st rib, pleura
- anterior: clavicle
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