axillary vein

anatomy

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Last updated

June 18, 2026

Quick Summary

The axillary vein is a major blood vessel that carries deoxygenated blood from the upper body towards the heart. It is formed by the convergence of the brachial veins and the basilic vein in the arm. As it travels upwards, it becomes the subclavian vein at the outer border of the first rib, continuing the venous return from the arm and shoulder region. The axillary vein is part of the venous system that parallels the arteries, collecting blood from tissues and returning it to the heart. Unlike arteries, veins have thinner walls and lower blood pressure, and many contain valves to ensure blood flows in the correct direction, especially against gravity.1

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human cardiovascular system
Superior vena cava and its tributaries
…the shoulder to produce the axillary vein. At the outer border of the first rib, the axillary vein becomes the subclavian vein, the terminal point of the venous system characteristic of the upper extremity.
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…the shoulder to produce the axillary vein. At the outer border of the first rib, the axillary vein becomes the subclavian vein, the terminal point of the venous system characteristic of the upper extremity.
Read More