The brachiocephalic veins
Brachiocephalic veins · venae brachiocephalicae
Two large veins behind the breastbone that collect blood from the head and arms.
What it does
Each brachiocephalic vein forms behind the inner end of the collarbone, where the jugular and subclavian veins join. The left one crosses behind the breastbone to meet the right, forming the superior vena cava. Lymph from most of the body drains into the angles where they form.
Surprising fact
Almost all of the body's lymph, including fat absorbed from meals, re-enters the blood where the left jugular and subclavian veins meet.
Why it matters
Because the left vein crosses the chest, lines and catheters placed from the left side follow a longer, more curved path to the heart.
Nearby
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Sources
Drafted with AI help; awaiting a human fact-check against these sources.
Open in the 3D atlas · Suggest a correction · Not medical advice.
3D models: Z-Anatomy & BodyParts3D (CC BY-SA 4.0 / 2.1 JP). Card text CC BY 4.0.