Description
The veins of the upper limb are divided into superficial and deep veins. The veins begin as smaller vessels in the hand which unite to form the larger veins. The superficial veins are the primary venous drainage of the upper limbs and can be identified subcutaneously by the naked eye. There are two major superficial veins, the cephalic and basilic veins.
The deep veins are smaller than the superficial veins and accompany the arterial supply as venae comitantes. The deep veins anastomose extensively with the superficial veins. Both the superficial and deep veins drain into the axillary vein then into the subclavian vein.
