Internal thoracic vein

In human anatomy, the internal thoracic vein (previously known as the internal mammary vein) is a vessel that drains the chest wall and breasts.[1]

Internal thoracic vein
Veins of the thorax and abdomen. The internal thoracic veins drain into the brachiocephalic veins.]
Posterior surface of sternum and costal cartilages, showing Transversus thoracis. (Internal mammary vessels labeled at center top.)
Details
Drains fromsuperior epigastric vein
Drains tobrachiocephalic vein
Arteryinternal thoracic artery
Identifiers
Latinvena thoracica interna
TA98A12.3.04.018
TA24786
FMA4729
Anatomical terminology

Structure

Bilaterally, the internal thoracic vein arises from the superior epigastric vein, and accompanies the internal thoracic artery along its course.[1] It drains the intercostal veins, although the posterior drainage is often handled by the azygous veins.[1] It terminates in the brachiocephalic vein.[2] It has a width of 2-3 mm.[3]

Variations

Bifurcation of each internal thoracic vein is common. The left internal thoracic vein may bifurcate between ribs 3-4 or remain as a single vein.[4] The right internal thoracic vein may bifurcate between ribs 2-4 or remain as a single vein.[4]

Function

The internal thoracic vein drains the chest wall and the breasts.[1]

Additional images
  • Transverse section of thorax, showing relations of pulmonary artery.

References
  1. Drake, Richard L. (Richard Lee), 1950- (2005). Gray's anatomy for students. Vogl, Wayne., Mitchell, Adam W. M., Gray, Henry, 1825-1861. Philadelphia: Elsevier/Churchill Livingstone. ISBN 0-443-06612-4. OCLC 55139039.CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  2. Mozes, GEZA; Gloviczki, PETER (January 1, 2007), Bergan, John J. (ed.), "CHAPTER 2 - Venous Embryology and Anatomy", The Vein Book, Burlington: Academic Press, pp. 15–25, doi:10.1016/b978-012369515-4/50005-3, ISBN 978-0-12-369515-4, retrieved November 12, 2020
  3. Stewart, Charles E.; Urken, Mark L. (January 1, 2009), Wei, Fu-Chan; Mardini, Samir (eds.), "CHAPTER 18 - Deltopectoral flap", Flaps and Reconstructive Surgery, Edinburgh: W.B. Saunders, pp. 193–205, doi:10.1016/b978-0-7216-0519-7.00018-6, ISBN 978-0-7216-0519-7, retrieved November 12, 2020
  4. "Table 1: The Single Nucleotide Polymorphisms in cathepsin B protein mined from literature (PMID: 16492714)". dx.doi.org. Retrieved November 12, 2020.
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