Brachiocephalic veins

Brachiocephalic vein
The thyroid gland and its relations. (Label for "Right innom. vein" and "Left innom. vein" visible at bottom center.)
The arch of the aorta, and its branches. (Right innom. vein labeled at upper right; left innominate vein labeled at center top.)
Details
Source	Internal jugular subclavian superior intercostal vertebral inferior thyroid
Drains to	Superior vena cava
Artery	Brachiocephalic artery
Identifiers
Latin	vena brachiocephalica vena anonyma
MeSH	A07.231.908.130
Dorlands /Elsevier	v_04/12847276
TA	A12.3.04.001
FMA	4723
Anatomical terminology []

The left and right brachiocephalic veins (or innominate veins) in the upper chest are formed by the union of each corresponding internal jugular vein and subclavian vein. This is at the level of the sternoclavicular joint. The left brachiocephalic vein is usually longer than the right.

These great vessels merge to form the superior vena cava posterior to the junction of the first costal cartilage with the manubrium sternum.

The brachiocephalic veins are the major veins returning blood to the superior vena cava.

The brachiocephalic vein is formed by the confluence of the subclavian and internal jugular veins. In addition it receives drainage from:

The left brachiocephalic vein forms from the anastomosis formed between the left and right anterior cardinal veins when the caudal portion of the left anterior cardinal vein degenerates.

Diagram showing completion of development of the parietal veins.

Front view of heart and lungs.

The fascia and middle thyroid veins.

Right Brachiocephalic vein

Right& Left Brachiocephalic vein

Right& Left Brachiocephalic vein

The brachiocephalic veins, superior vena cava, inferior vena cava, azygos vein and their tributaries.