Brachial Veins

venae brachiales

The brachial veins are a pair of venae comitantes accompanying the brachial artery along the medial aspect of the upper arm, receiving tributaries from the arm muscles. They join at the lower border of the teres major to form the axillary vein, or one may join the basilic vein. They are the deep venous drainage of the upper arm.

Region: Upper Arm

Clinical Relevance

Clinical Notes

The brachial veins are relevant in arm DVT, which is less common than lower limb DVT but may complicate PICC line placement, effort thrombosis, thoracic outlet syndrome, or malignancy. Upper extremity DVT carries a risk of pulmonary embolism. Duplex ultrasound images the brachial veins at the antecubital fossa level. The brachial veins are the recipient vessels for free tissue transfer to the forearm and hand in some reconstructive contexts. During brachial artery exploration for trauma, the paired brachial veins must be individually identified and preserved or ligated.

Pathology

Common Injuries & Conditions

Brachial Vein Thrombosis from PICC Line

Peripherally inserted central catheter (PICC) in the brachial vein produces thrombosis from endothelial trauma and flow disturbance around the catheter, presenting as arm swelling and pain; duplex ultrasound confirms brachial vein thrombosis and management includes anticoagulation and PICC removal with consideration of catheter-directed thrombolysis for large clot burden.