The subclavian veins
Subclavian veins · venae subclaviae
Large veins under the collarbones that drain the arms.
What it does
Each subclavian vein continues from the arm's axillary vein, passes over the first rib in front of the artery and joins the internal jugular vein to form a brachiocephalic vein.
Surprising fact
Doctors sometimes thread a central line into the subclavian vein because it is held open by surrounding tissue, even when blood pressure is low.
Why it matters
Intensive care teams use this route to give fluids and medicines that need a large, fast-flowing vein.
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.