Where do intercostal veins drain
William Burgess
Updated on April 24, 2026
The intercostal veins run above the intercostal arteries, which run above the intercostal nerves. The posterior intercostal veins drain into the azygos vein (right side), and hemiazygos and accessory hemiazygos veins (left side). The latter two veins ultimately drain into the azygos vein.
Where do intercostal arteries run?
The intercostal arteries are a group of arteries that supply the area between the ribs (“costae”), called the intercostal space.
Which vein drains the chest muscles?
The anterior intercostal veins originate from the intercostal space just inferior to anterior aspects of their respective ribs and drain into the internal thoracic and musculophrenic veins.
What does the left superior intercostal vein drain into?
The left superior intercostal vein forms by the union of the 2nd to 4th left posterior intercostal veins. It courses superiorly to the left of the midline, arches posteriorly lateral to the aortic arch to drain into the left brachiocephalic vein.Where can you find the intercostal arteries veins and nerves?
Recall that the intercostal trio (vein, artery, and nerve) runs in the costal groove along the superior border of the intercostal space. Additionally, there is an artery and vein traveling along the inferior border of the intercostal space as well.
What is the venous drainage of the anterior abdominal wall where does it drain into?
The venous drainage of the superficial anterolateral abdominal wall involves an elaborate subcutaneous venous plexus. This plexus drains superiorly and medially to the internal thoracic vein. It drains superiorly and laterally to the lateral thoracic vein.
What does the accessory Hemiazygos vein drain?
The accessory hemiazygos vein, also called the superior hemiazygos vein, drains the superior left hemithorax. In a majority of cases there is a small connection to the left superior intercostal vein, and rarely, 1–2% of the time, the accessory hemiazygos vein drains into the brachiocephalic vein [3].
What does the subclavian vein drain?
The primary function of the subclavian vein is to drain deoxygenated blood from the upper region of the body—including the arms and the shoulder areas—and transport it back to the heart. 6 Another important function of the subclavian is to collect lymph fluid from the lymphatic system from the internal jugular vein.What drains the thoracic intercostal muscles?
Intercostal veinsIntercostal spaces, viewed from the left.DetailsDrains fromintercostal muscle, intercostal spaceArteryintercostal arteries
What part of the body does the inferior vena cava drain?Inferior vena cavaDrains toRight atriumArteryabdominal aortaIdentifiersLatinvena cava inferior
Article first time published onWhere does the inferior vena cava drain from?
In its course to the heart the inferior vena cava ascends close to the backbone; passes the liver, in the dorsal surface of which it forms a groove; enters the chest through an opening in the diaphragm; and empties into the right atrium of the heart at a non-valve opening below the point of entry for the superior vena …
Which vein drains the third to sixth seventh intercostal spaces on the left thoracic wall?
The accessory hemiazygos vein has more variation than the azygos and hemiazygos veins. Usually it drains the left superior intercostal vein (which in turn drains the left second to fourth intercostal veins) and the left posterior fifth to seventh intercostal veins.
What is posterior intercostal vein?
The posterior intercostal veins are veins that drain the intercostal spaces posteriorly. They run with their corresponding posterior intercostal artery on the underside of the rib, the vein superior to the artery. Each vein also gives off a dorsal branch that drains blood from the muscles of the back.
Where do anterior intercostal arteries branch from?
Gross Anatomy The 1st to 6th anterior intercostal arteries arise directly from the lateral aspect of the internal thoracic artery. The 7th to 9th arise from the musculophrenic artery, a branch of the internal thoracic artery.
Where does the hemiazygos vein drain blood from?
The azygos vein arises from the right ascending lumbar vein. It drains blood from the right posterior intercostal veins. It travels close to the right side of the inferior 8 thoracic vertebrae. It arches anteriorly just above the hilum of the right lung and drains into the superior vena cava.
What side of the body is the hemiazygos vein?
Anatomical terminology The accessory hemiazygos vein, also called the superior hemiazygous vein is a vein on the left side of the vertebral column that generally drains the fourth through eighth intercostal spaces on the left side of the body.
Where does the brachiocephalic vein drain into?
The left brachiocephalic vein crosses posterior to the manubrium to meet the right brachiocephalic vein to form the superior vena cava, which empties into the right atrium (Osborn et al., 1999; Lasjaunias et al., 2001).
What veins drains the thoracic and abdominal walls?
The azygos vein drains the posterior thoracic and abdominal wall, and is formed by the confluence of the ascending lumbar veins and the right subcostal vein at vertebral level T12. The azygos vein arches over the right main bronchus, in order to join the superior vena cava.
Where does the left gastric vein drain?
Venous Drainage The left gastric vein runs to the left along the lesser curvature, receiving the esophageal veins below the esophageal hiatus in the diaphragm. It usually drains directly into the portal vein at the superior border of the pancreas.
What is vein drainage?
Venous drainage of the lower extremities is divided into the superficial and deep systems. … The deep venous system courses alongside the arterial system and includes the anterior tibial, posterior tibial, and the peroneal veins, which ultimately form the popliteal vein.
What veins drain into the azygos vein?
OriginLumbar azygos vein/ inferior vena cavaDrains toSuperior vena cava
Where is the supreme intercostal vein?
(Highest intercostal labeled, very faintly, written vertically, to the right of the aortic arch.) The supreme intercostal vein (highest intercostal vein) is a paired vein that drains the first intercostal space on its corresponding side. It usually drains into the brachiocephalic vein.
Where is the subclavian vein?
Just medial to the junction of the medial and middle thirds of the clavicle, the subclavian vein is attached by fibrous tissue to both the first rib and the clavicle, stabilizing its position and diameter.
Is subclavian vein a deep vein?
In the upper extremity the deep veins include the paired radial veins, paired ulnar veins, paired brachial veins, axillary vein, and subclavian vein.
Which vein does not drain into the inferior vena cava?
There are usually five pairs of lumbar veins. These vessels deserve special attention because of their unique connections. Not all of the lumbar veins drain directly into the inferior vena cava.
Which of the following veins usually drains into the right atrium?
The great cardiac vein, the middle cardiac vein, and the small cardiac vein all drain into the coronary sinus (which opens into the right atrium). The anterior cardiac veins drain directly into the right atrium.
Where is the vena cava vein located?
The inferior vena cava (IVC) is the largest vein of the human body. It is located at the posterior abdominal wall on the right side of the aorta. The IVC’s function is to carry the venous blood from the lower limbs and abdominopelvic region to the heart.
Is the inferior vena cava a vein?
A large vein that carries blood to the heart from other areas of the body. … The inferior vena cava carries blood from the legs, feet, and organs in the abdomen and pelvis. The vena cava is the largest vein in the body.
What two veins are responsible for draining the neck and superficial head?
The head and neck are emptied of blood by the internal and external jugular veins.
What drains into superior vena cava?
Superior vena cavaSourcebrachiocephalic vein, azygos veinDrains toRight atriumIdentifiersLatinvena cava superior, vena maxima
Where do the posterior intercostal arteries arise?
The intercostal spaces are supplied by pairs of anterior and posterior intercostal arteries. The posterior intercostal arteries arise from the aorta and in part supply the spine and spinal cord and thus are considered segmental arteries.