Quick Facts
Origin: Union of smaller veins on the lateral thoracic wall.
Course: Superiorly along the lateral thoracic wall, draining into the axillary vein.
Tributaries: Lateral mammary branches of lateral thoracic vein.
Drainage: Pectoralis major, pectoralis minor, and serratus anterior muscles, the breasts.
Origin
The lateral thoracic vein is formed by the union of smaller veins that drain the lateral part of the anterior thoracic wall.
Course
From its origin, the lateral thoracic vein travels superiorly along the lateral thoracic wall. It ends by draining into the axillary vein.
Tributaries
Along its course, its lateral mammary branches drain into lateral thoracic vein.
Structures Drained
Overall, the lateral thoracic veins and its tributaries provide venous drainage to the pectoralis major, pectoralis minor, and serratus anterior muscles, as well as the mammary glands.
