What is the brachiocephalic vein?

The brachiocephalic veins also referred to as the innominate veins, are large venous structures located within the thorax and originate from the union of the subclavian vein with the internal jugular vein. The left and right brachiocephalic vein join to form the superior vena cava on the right side of the upper chest.

What is the left brachiocephalic vein?

The left and right brachiocephalic veins (or innominate veins) are major veins in the upper chest, formed by the union of each corresponding internal jugular vein and subclavian vein. This is at the level of the sternoclavicular joint. The left brachiocephalic vein is nearly always longer than the right.

Where is the brachiocephalic vein in the arm?

Location. Roughly, each brachiocephalic vein originates behind the point where your clavicle (collarbone) meets your sternum (breastbone). The left brachiocephalic vein is longer than the right, and courses down and toward the right.

What drains into brachiocephalic vein?

Tributaries draining into the brachiocephalic veins include the vertebral and first posterior intercostal veins in the neck and the internal thoracic, thymic, and inferior thyroid veins in the superior mediastinum.

Why is it called brachiocephalic?

The brachiocephalic is so named because blood flows through it to the arm (brachio) and the head (cephalic). It is also known as the brachiocephalic trunk, as it is the base for two other important arteries.

Are there 2 brachiocephalic veins?

There is no brachiocephalic artery for the left side of the body. The left common carotid, and the left subclavian artery, come directly off the aortic arch. However, there are two brachiocephalic veins.

Why is the brachiocephalic artery important?

The brachiocephalic artery, brachiocephalic trunk, or more commonly referred to clinically as the innominate artery, is one of the three great vessels of the aortic arch that supplies blood to the head, neck and upper extremities.

Is brachiocephalic vein Central?

Central lines terminating in the brachiocephalic trunk or subclavian vein are probably fine to use for most critical care applications (other than, for example, measurement of central venous pressure or mixed venous oxygen saturation).

What organ does the brachiocephalic artery supply?

The brachiocephalic trunk gives off the right subclavian artery, supplying the right upper limb; and the right common carotid artery, supplying the right side of the brain, head and neck.

What is brachiocephalic aneurysm?

Brachiocephalic vein aneurysms are rare lesions with only 36 cases reported in the literature. They usually present incidentally as mediastinal widening on chest X-ray, with thromboembolism or mass effect on adjacent structures, or rupture.

Can you use a PICC line in the brachiocephalic vein?

Peripherally inserted central catheters are commonly referred to as PICC lines. Regardless of where the catheter is inserted from, to qualify as a central venous access the tip of the catheter must end up in one of the following locations: Subclavian vein. Brachiocephalic (innominate) vein.

Can you use a PICC in the brachiocephalic vein?

9-27 These studies all report successful clini- cal use of PICCs with low complication rates. In some studies, the preferred site for tip location is only the SVC while others include innominate or brachio- cephalic, subclavian, and axillary veins as acceptable.