Major Veins and Fetal Circulation

This set covers systemic venous anatomy, the hepatic portal system, and the transformation from fetal to neonatal circulation.

External jugular vein

A vein of the head and neck that drains blood from the superficial regions of the scalp and face.

Superior vena cava (SVC)

A large vein formed by the union of the right and left brachiocephalic veins.

Internal jugular vein

A major vein in the neck that drains blood from the brain and deep parts of the face and neck.

Median cubital vein

A superficial vein in the upper limb commonly used for drawing blood samples.

Superficial veins of the upper limb

Includes the basilic, cephalic, and median cubital veins.

Deep veins of the upper limb

Includes the radial, ulnar, and brachial veins.

Dural sinus

The structure into which most of the veins that drain the brain empty.

Inferior vena cava (IVC)

The large vein formed by the union of the right and left common iliac veins; it receives blood from renal and hepatic veins.

Hepatic portal vein

A vessel that receives blood from the superior mesenteric, inferior mesenteric, splenic, and gastric veins to deliver it to the liver.

Hepatic vein

The vein through which all blood exits the liver to enter the inferior vena cava.

Great saphenous vein

A prominent superficial vein located in the lower limbs.

Varicose veins

A condition resulting from failed valves, commonly found in the veins of the lower limbs.

Umbilical Artery

The fetal vessel that carries deoxygenated blood away from the fetus.

Umbilical Vein

The fetal vessel that carries oxygenated blood toward the fetus; it eventually becomes the ligamentum teres after birth.

Foramen ovale

An opening in the fetal interatrial septum that allows blood to flow from the right atrium to the left atrium.

Ductus arteriosus

A fetal shunt connecting the pulmonary trunk to the aorta.

Ductus venosus

A fetal shunt that links the umbilical vein to the inferior vena cava, bypassing the liver.

Ligamentum arteriosum

The neonatal structure that the ductus arteriosus becomes after birth.

Fossa ovalis

The depression in the interatrial septum that remains after the foramen ovale closes at birth.

Ligamentum venosum

The neonatal structure that the ductus venosus becomes after birth.

Medial umbilical ligaments

The structures that the umbilical arteries become in neonatal circulation.

Cephalic vein

A superficial vein of the upper limb that does not have a corresponding artery associated with it.

Subclavian vein

A large vein that carries blood from the arm and thorax to the superior vena cava.

Brachial vein

A deep vein of the arm that accompanies the brachial artery and drains into the axillary vein.

Basilic vein

A large superficial vein located on the posterior aspect of the arm and forearm.

Median cubital vein

A superficial vein in the elbow region commonly used for venipuncture.

Radial vein

A deep vein located in the forearm that drains the radial artery.

Median antebrachial vein

A superficial vein in the forearm that drains into either the basilic or the cephalic vein.

Ulnar vein

A deep vein that runs alongside the ulnar artery in the forearm.

Palmar venous arches

Venous structures in the palm that drain into the radial and ulnar veins.

Digital veins

Veins that drain blood from the fingers back into the palmar venous arches.

Popliteal vein

A deep vein located at the back of the knee that drains into the femoral vein.

Small saphenous vein

A superficial vein in the leg that drains into the popliteal vein.

Plantar venous arch

A network of veins in the foot that collects blood and drains into the posterior tibial and fibular veins.

Dorsal venous arch

A venous structure on the dorsal surface of the foot that drains into the greater and lesser saphenous veins.

Brachiocephalic vein

Veins formed by the union of the subclavian and internal jugular veins, draining blood into the superior vena cava.

Intercostal veins

Veins that drain blood from the intercostal muscles and thoracic wall into the azygos system.

Renal veins

Veins that drain blood from the kidneys and empty into the inferior vena cava.

Common iliac veins

Veins formed by the union of the internal and external iliac veins, draining blood from the lower limbs and pelvis.

External iliac vein

A vein that drains blood from the lower limb and becomes the common femoral vein.

Internal iliac vein

A vein that drains blood from the pelvic organs and gluteal region.

Deep femoral vein

A deep vein that drains blood from the thigh muscles and empties into the femoral vein.

Femoral vein

A major deep vein in the thigh that receives blood from the profunda femoris and popliteal veins.

Posterior tibial vein

A deep vein that runs alongside the posterior tibial artery in the leg.

Anterior tibial vein

A deep vein located in the anterior compartment of the leg, draining into the popliteal vein.

Occipital vein

A small vein that drains the posterior scalp and empties into the internal jugular vein.

Vertebral vein

A vein that drains the cervical vertebrae and surrounding structures into the brachiocephalic vein.

Temporal vein

A vein located in the lateral region of the head that drains the scalp and forehead.

Maxillary vein

A deep vein that drains the maxillary region and unites with the superficial temporal vein to form the retromandibular vein.

Facial vein

A vein that drains blood from the face and runs alongside the facial artery.

Right subclavian vein

The branch of the brachiocephalic vein that drains the right arm and neck.

Axillary vein

A vein that collects blood from the upper limb and drains into the subclavian vein.

Hemiazygos vein

A vein that drains the left side of the thoracic wall and empties into the azygos vein.

Cephalic vein

A superficial vein in the arm, often used for venipuncture.