Chapter 2 - Venous embryology and anatomy

Abstract

This chapter deals with the anatomy and embryology of the venous system. It describes the histology of large veins, and presents a detailed anatomy of the veins of the trunk, and the upper and lower limbs. During embryogenesis, the earliest veins develop from capillary plexuses; these carry blood into the sinus venosus, the in-flow end of the forming heart. As far as the anatomy is concerned, the superior vena cava (SVC) starts at the confluence of the brachiocephalic veins behind the first right costal cartilage, and ends at the level of the third right costal cartilage, where it drains into the right atrium. The dorsal and palmar digital veins join to form the metacarpal veins, which drain into the superficially located dorsal venous network of the hand. The cephalic and basilic veins arise from this network on the radial and ulnar side of the wrist, respectively. The inferior vena cava (IVC) begins at the confluence of the common iliac veins and ascends on the right side of the vertebral column, passes through the tendinous portion of the diaphragm, and after a short course (approximately 2.5 cm) in the chest, it terminates in the right atrium at the level of T9. In the upper abdomen, the IVC is located posterior to the duodenum, the head and neck of the pancreas, the lesser sac, and the liver.