Subclavian vein

Last revised by Dr Leon Chau ◈ on 10 Feb 2022

Citation, DOI & article data

Citation:

Jarvis, M., Chau, L. Subclavian vein. Reference article, Radiopaedia.org. (accessed on 28 Jun 2022) https://doi.org/10.53347/rID-35014

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.53347/rID-35014

Permalink:

https://radiopaedia.org/articles/35014

rID:

35014

Article created:

19 Mar 2015 by Dr Matthew Jarvis

Revisions:

19 times by 11 users - see full revision history

Systems:

Chest, Vascular

Section:

Anatomy

Tag:

refs

Synonyms:

Right subclavian vein
Right subclavian veins
Left subclavian veins
Left subclavian vein
Subclavian veins

The subclavian veins are the major veins that drain the upper limbs.

Gross anatomy

Origin and course

The subclavian vein is the continuation of the axillary vein as it crosses the lateral border of the 1^st 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 subclavian vein at the lateral border of the anterior scalene muscle. The vein continues medially to pass anterior to the anterior scalene muscle (whereas the subclavian artery passes posterior to the muscle) and joins the internal jugular vein posterior to the sternoclavicular joint, where it forms the brachiocephalic vein. The thoracic duct (on the left) and right lymphatic duct (on the right) drain into the central venous system at this point.

The most central venous valve in the upper limb venous drainage lies in the lateral subclavian vein, and medial to this the veins are valveless, and are considered to be 'central veins'.