Cephalic Vein: Detail of its Anatomy in the Deltopectoral Triangle

Abstract

The cephalic vein shows a scarce description, especially in the deltopectoral triangle, and its ending in the axillary vein. Some established considerations such as "superficial vein, located in the deltopectoral groove, accompanied by braches of the thoraco-acromial artery, which ends in the deltopectoral triangle in the shape of fan arch" should be reevaluated. Procedures difficulties in the la catheterization deserve for a more accurate description. A descriptive, prospective study is performed. The goal is to determine the anatomy of the cephalic vein in the deltopectoral triangle, with a special focus on the characteristics concerning its path and type of termination. Findings show that the cephalic vein is deeply placed and has a different path than that of an arch (circumference segment on a level) with a retro pectoral path and an acceptable diameter, thus useful and safe in the catheterization processes.

Report of an unusual combination of arterial, venous and neural variations in a cadaveric upper limb

“…Numerous variations in the course and terminal drainage of the cephalic vein have been described including persistence of the jugulocephalic vein [18], absence of cephalic vein [19][20][21][22][23], cephalic vein draining into the external or internal jugular vein, cephalic vein draining into the subclavian vein or into the junction of subclavian and internal jugular vein, cephalic vein draining into the basilic vein [24] and accessory cephalic vein [25]. Concerning frequency of the absence of the cephalic vein, Loukas et al [19] report 5% Le Saout et al [20] During embryonic life principle arm vein remains in caudal or ulnar positions and joins the lateral thoracic (thoracoepigastric) vein to form the primitive subclavian trunk.…”

Cephalic vein inconsistency in autologous breast reconstruction salvage

“…3 This is in contrast to another anatomical study where the authors believe that the CV always takes a "deep" course in the deltopectoral triangle. 4 With a rate of CV absence ranging from 5 to 19.7% 3e5 reported in the literature, as well as inconsistent depth within the deltopectoral triangle, the reconstructive breast surgeon ought to proceed with caution; As the CV is not always the consistent saviour it is widely thought to be the surgeon must have secondary strategies prepared when using it as a salvage conduit.…”

A cephalic vein drained into one of the double axillary veins through the pectoralis major muscle

“…Many authors have reported the anatomical variants of the CV: absent or very thin CV [3,10,14,20] or accessory CV [3,4]. Absence of the CV was found in 3% of male and 1% of female subjects [3]; in these cases, the deltopectoral part of the CV may also be small or absent, and thus, the median antebrachial vein is usually enlarged to drain the area of the CV.…”

“…Absence of the CV was found in 3% of male and 1% of female subjects [3]; in these cases, the deltopectoral part of the CV may also be small or absent, and thus, the median antebrachial vein is usually enlarged to drain the area of the CV. The CV also displays high variability concerning its termination into the basilic vein [3], the internal jugular vein [15], the subclavian vein [10] or the external jugular vein [1,6,7,9,20].…”

“…The cephalic vein (CV) begins distally at the radial extension of the dorsal venous arch, crosses superficially to the anatomical snuff box at the wrist, anastomoses with the basilic vein by the median cubital vein at the level of the elbow, ascends in a groove along the lateral border of the biceps brachii muscle until the proximal third of the arm, where it passes between the deltoid and pectoralis muscles, and then empties into the axillary vein [1,10,14,20].…”