Subclavian vein
Subclavian Vein
The Subclavian Vein (pronunciation: sub-CLAY-vee-an vein) is a major vein in the human body that plays a crucial role in the circulatory system.
Etymology
The term "Subclavian" is derived from Latin, where "sub" means under and "clavius" refers to the clavicle or collarbone. Thus, the Subclavian Vein is named for its location beneath the clavicle.
Definition
The Subclavian Vein is a paired large vein, one on each side of the body, that is responsible for draining blood from the upper extremities, allowing this deoxygenated blood to be returned to the heart. It is located beneath the clavicle, hence the name.
Anatomy
The Subclavian Vein is the continuation of the Axillary Vein and runs from the outer border of the first rib to the medial border of anterior scalene muscle. Here, it joins with the Internal Jugular Vein to form the Brachiocephalic Vein. The vein is covered by the clavicle (collarbone) and the subclavius muscle.
Clinical Significance
The Subclavian Vein is often used for the insertion of a central venous catheter or a PICC line (Peripherally Inserted Central Catheter) to administer medication or fluids, obtain blood tests, and measure central venous pressure. It's also significant in several medical conditions such as Subclavian Vein Thrombosis and Paget-Schroetter Syndrome.
Related Terms
- Axillary Vein
- Internal Jugular Vein
- Brachiocephalic Vein
- Central Venous Catheter
- PICC line
- Subclavian Vein Thrombosis
- Paget-Schroetter Syndrome
External links
- Medical encyclopedia article on Subclavian vein
- Wikipedia's article - Subclavian vein
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