Cardiovascular system · Upper limb
Median forearm vein !
The median antebrachial vein runs up the middle of the front of the forearm under the skin; it drains the forearm skin.
Official name: Median antebrachial vein
Opens in the Durgical app, no sign-up needed.
What it is
A surface vein up the middle of the front of the forearm.
What it does
Drains the skin of the front of the forearm.
Key facts
- Drains
- Palmar venous plexus
- Into
- Basilic or median cubital vein
Relations
- Course
- From the palmar venous plexus at the wrist straight up the front of the forearm to the elbow
- Deep
- The antebrachial fascia over the superficial forearm flexors
How to find it
With a tourniquet it is seen in the midline of the front of the forearm, although it is often small or not visible.
On imaging
Small and variable. Ultrasound shows it in the subcutaneous fat of the front of the forearm, running up from the palm toward the median cubital, basilic or cephalic vein, and shows which of the elbow patterns is present. It is sought for cannulation when other veins fail; full collapse under the probe and Doppler flow confirm it is open.
Clinical notes
- Venipuncture on the front of the forearm is close to branches of the medial and lateral antebrachial cutaneous nerves
- Cannulas at the front of the wrist are generally avoided because of the median nerve's palmar branch and nearby tendons
- Leakage of an infusion from a forearm cannula (extravasation) swells the front of the forearm; irritant drugs can injure the skin, so the site is checked often
Anatomical variants
- It can be absent, doubled or replaced by several small veins
Test yourself
Think of the answer, then tap the question to see it.
Where does the median forearm vein run?
Up the middle of the front of the forearm, from the palmar venous plexus at the wrist, between the cephalic and basilic veins.
What is the «M» pattern of the median forearm vein at the elbow?
It splits into median cephalic and median basilic veins.
Why are cannulas at the front of the wrist generally avoided?
Because of the median nerve's palmar branch and the nearby tendons.
Educational information, not medical advice. For any symptom, see a health professional.
Its names
- Official Latin (TA2)
- vena mediana antebrachii TA2 4981
- Official Spanish (DeCS)
- Vena mediana del antebrazo
- English (TA2)
- Median antebrachial vein
Sources: Terminologia Anatomica (TA2); Anatomy, Shoulder and Upper Limb, Elbow Cubital Fossa; Anatomy, Shoulder and Upper Limb, Veins.
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Representative model, for educational purposes only.
