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# 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.

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## 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 points

- Runs with the [lateral thoracic artery](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/lateral-thoracic-artery/) on serratus anterior, along the lower border of [pectoralis minor](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/pectoralis-minor-muscle/), and ends in the axillary vein
- When the [superior vena cava](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/superior-vena-cava/) or the axillary- [subclavian vein](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/subclavian-veins/) is blocked, it and the thoracoepigastric vein dilate and become visible on the side of the chest and [abdomen](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/region/abdomen/)

## 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](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/region/chest/) wall and the lateral breast it rises on [serratus anterior](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/serratus-anterior/), beside the anterior (pectoral) axillary nodes, to the [axillary vein](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/axillary-vein/)

**Deep**
Serratus anterior and the [ribs](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/ribs/); the [long thoracic nerve](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/long-thoracic-nerve/) runs down a little further back

**Superficial**
The lateral part of the breast and the [skin](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/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](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/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.

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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

- [Lateral thoracic artery](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/lateral-thoracic-artery/)

Sources: Terminologia Anatomica (TA2); Anatomía humana (4.ª ed.), tomo 1, cap. 60: Venas del miembro superior.

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Representative model, for educational purposes only.

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Source: https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/lateral-thoracic-vein/
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