Median cubital vein
| Median cubital vein | |
|---|---|
Superficial veins of the arm. The median cubital vein is labelled (in Latin) - Vena mediana cubiti. | |
| Details | |
| Source | Cephalic vein |
| Drains to | Basilic vein |
| Identifiers | |
| Latin | v. mediana cubiti, v. intermedia cubiti |
| TA98 | A12.3.08.019 |
| TA2 | 4980 |
| FMA | 22963 |
| Anatomical terminology | |
In human anatomy, the median cubital vein (or median basilic vein) is a superficial vein of the arm on the anterior aspect of the elbow. It classically shunts blood from the cephalic to the basilic vein at the roof of the cubital fossa. It is typically the most prominent superficial vein in the human body, and is visible when all other veins are hidden by fat or collapsed during a shock.
It arises from the cephalic vein 2.5 cm (one inch) below the lateral epicondyle of the humerus, runs obliquely upward and medially, and empties into the basilic vein 2.5 cm (one inch) above the medial epicondyle.