Brachiocephalic vein

The left and right brachiocephalic veins (previously called innominate veins) are major veins in the upper chest, formed by the union of the ipsilateral internal jugular vein and subclavian vein (the so-called venous angle)^[1] behind the sternoclavicular joint.^[2] The left brachiocephalic vein is more than twice the length of the right brachiocephalic vein.^[3]

Brachiocephalic vein
The thyroid gland and its relations. (Label for "Right innom. vein" and "Left innom. vein" visible at bottom center.)
The arch of the aorta, and its branches. (Right innom. vein labeled at upper right; left innominate vein labeled at center top.)
Details
Source	Internal jugular subclavian superior intercostal vertebral inferior thyroid
Drains to	Superior vena cava
Artery	Brachiocephalic artery
Identifiers
Latin	vena brachiocephalica vena anonyma
MeSH	D016121
TA98	A12.3.04.001
TA2	4772
FMA	4723
Anatomical terminology [edit on Wikidata]

These veins merge to form the superior vena cava, a great vessel, posterior to the junction of the first costal cartilage with the manubrium of the sternum.^[3]

The brachiocephalic veins are the major veins returning blood to the superior vena cava.^[3]

Left and right veins

Veins of the thoracic and abdominal regions

Left brachiocephalic vein

The left brachiocephalic vein is about 6cm, more than twice the length of the right brachiocephalic vein.^[3] and is formed by the confluence of the left subclavian and left internal jugular veins. In addition the left vein receives drainage from the following tributaries:

• The left vertebral vein, internal thoracic vein, inferior thyroid veins, superior intercostal veins, the thymic veins and the pericardial veins^[3][4]

Right brachiocephalic vein

The right brachiocephalic vein is about 2.5cm long.^[3] The right vein is formed by the confluence of the right subclavian vein and the right internal jugular vein. It receives the following tributaries:

• The right vertebral vein, the internal thoracic vein, and the thyroid veins, and occasionally from the first right posterior intercostal veins.^[3]

Embryological origin

The left brachiocephalic vein develops from the anastomosis between the left and right anterior cardinal veins when the caudal segment of the left anterior cardinal vein degenerates.^{[citation needed]}

Additional images

• 
  Right and left brachiocephalic vein
• 
  The brachiocephalic veins, superior vena cava, inferior vena cava, azygos vein and their tributaries.

See also

• Hip bone (Innominate bone)
• Brachiocephalic artery (Innominate artery)