cephalic vein
anatomy
Quick Summary
human circulatory system
Human circulatory system.
The cephalic vein is a superficial vein in the arm that drains blood from the hand and forearm. It runs up the radial (thumb) side of the forearm and is formed by the union of smaller veins from the hand. The cephalic vein continues up the arm and eventually contributes to the formation of the axillary vein, which then becomes the subclavian vein. A continuation of the cephalic vein, the median basilic vein, is often selected for venipuncture.12
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