Cephalic vein

The cephalic vein is a large superficial venous blood vessel in the outside of the upper arm.

Course

The vessel begins on the dorsal ( back of the hand ) of the thumb and attracts the radial forearm along side ( cephalic vein of the forearm ) to the outside of the elbow. Then runs in the outer biceps groove (ie on the outside of the upper arm between the elbow joint diffractive and stretching muscles) towards the body. Therefore, the name derives (Arabic: al kifal - outside) cephalic has nothing to do with the Greek head. See also basilic vein.

She pulls in the deltopectoral groove (at the bottom of the delta muscle) in a depression between the clavicle, deltoid muscle and large breast muscle ( Mohr 's fossa ). There she bends almost at right angles from, passes through the fascia into the depth and opens into the axillary vein ( axillary ), which merges into the subclavian vein ( subclavian ). In lean individuals, the vein in the course is usually very easy to recognize.

Importance

Because the vessel is quite large, it is suitable for blood collection as well as for inserting a peripheral venous catheter. Finally, it can be used for installation of a shunt.

The complex of a central venous catheter, it is only suitable as it significantly more difficult due to the sharp Abbiegens shortly before the mouth of the advancement of the catheter at the plant.

To the emergence of both veins before the puncture of the vessel as well eg to strengthen in bodybuilding, the arm muscles are tense. Thus, the deep veins are compressed and more blood flows through the superficial veins. Furthermore, a band of accumulating the vein can be applied.