Cardiovascular system · Upper limb
Lateral thoracic vein !
The lateral thoracic vein drains the side of the chest wall and the outer breast into the axillary vein; it swells when the large chest veins are blocked.
Opens in the Durgical app, no sign-up needed.
What it is
A vein running up the side of the chest beside the lateral thoracic artery to the axillary vein.
What it does
Drains the side of the chest wall and the outer breast; joins the veins of the abdominal wall (thoracoepigastric vein).
Key facts
- Drains
- Lateral chest wall; outer breast; links with the superficial epigastric vein (thoracoepigastric vein)
- Into
- Axillary vein
Relations
- Course
- From the anterolateral chest wall and the lateral breast it rises on serratus anterior, beside the anterior (pectoral) axillary nodes, to the axillary vein
- Deep
- Serratus anterior and the ribs; the long thoracic nerve runs down a little further back
- Superficial
- The lateral part of the breast and the skin of the side of the chest
How to find it
Not normally seen. It becomes visible as a dilated vein on the side of the chest when the superior vena cava or the axillary-subclavian vein is blocked. In axillary dissection it runs down with its artery along the lateral border of pectoralis minor.
Common problems
- Becomes a visible bypass route on the chest and abdomen when the inferior vena cava is blocked.
- Superficial clotting along it is Mondor disease.
Clinical notes
- Mondor disease: thrombophlebitis of the thoracoepigastric or lateral thoracic vein after breast surgery, trauma or strain, seen as a cord that tightens when the arm is raised
- Dilated veins on the flank flow upward when the inferior vena cava is blocked and downward when the superior vena cava is blocked, which helps locate the obstruction
- Divided and tied with its artery during axillary lymph node dissection
Test yourself
Think of the answer, then tap the question to see it.
Into which vein does the lateral thoracic vein drain?
Into the axillary vein, after running with the lateral thoracic artery on serratus anterior.
Which superficial channel links the lateral thoracic vein with the superficial epigastric vein?
The thoracoepigastric vein, a collateral path between the superior and inferior vena cava territories.
What is Mondor disease?
Superficial thrombophlebitis of the thoracoepigastric or lateral thoracic vein, felt as a tender cord on the chest wall.
Educational information, not medical advice. For any symptom, see a health professional.
Its names
- Official Latin (TA2)
- vena thoracica lateralis TA2 4971
- Official Spanish (DeCS)
- Vena torácica lateral
- English (TA2)
- Lateral thoracic vein
Related
Sources: Terminologia Anatomica (TA2); Anatomía humana (4.ª ed.), tomo 1, cap. 60: Venas del miembro superior.
Spotted a mistake?We are always improving for the community. Tell us what is wrong and our team will review it.Report a mistake
Representative model, for educational purposes only.