Brachiocephalic vein
Brachiocephalic Vein
The Brachiocephalic vein (pronounced: brak-ee-oh-seh-fal-ik vein) is a significant blood vessel in the upper body, particularly in the chest region.
Etymology
The term "brachiocephalic" is derived from the Greek words "brachio" meaning arm and "cephalic" meaning head. This is indicative of the vein's function, which is to drain blood from the arms and head.
Anatomy
The brachiocephalic veins are two large veins located in the thoracic region of the body. They are formed by the union of the internal jugular vein and the subclavian vein. The right brachiocephalic vein is typically larger and shorter than the left. These veins merge to form the superior vena cava, which carries deoxygenated blood from the upper half of the body to the heart.
Function
The primary function of the brachiocephalic vein is to transport deoxygenated blood from the upper limbs, neck, and head back to the heart. It serves as a major conduit in the circulatory system.
Related Terms
- Internal Jugular Vein: A vein that carries deoxygenated blood from the head and neck back to the heart.
- Subclavian Vein: A vein that carries deoxygenated blood from the upper extremities back to the heart.
- Superior Vena Cava: A large vein that carries deoxygenated blood from the upper half of the body back to the heart.
External links
- Medical encyclopedia article on Brachiocephalic vein
- Wikipedia's article - Brachiocephalic vein
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