Cardiovascular system · Upper limb
Deep forearm veins !
The deep forearm veins are paired radial and ulnar veins that travel with their arteries; they drain the deep forearm.
Official name: Radial and ulnar veins
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What it is
Paired deep veins beside the radial and ulnar arteries.
What it does
Drain the deep forearm.
Key facts
- Drains
- Deep palmar arches and the forearm muscles
- Into
- Brachial veins
Relations
- Course
- From the deep palmar venous arch they follow the radial and ulnar arteries up the forearm, receive the interosseous veins and unite near the elbow into the brachial veins
- Superficial
- Perforating veins to the superficial network, chiefly at the elbow and the wrist
How to find it
Not palpable. They run as thin paired veins on each side of the radial and ulnar arteries; at the wrist, ultrasound shows them flanking the artery, and in a radial artery harvest they are lifted with it as one pedicle.
On imaging
Ultrasound shows two small compressible veins flanking each forearm artery.
Clinical notes
- In a radial forearm free flap, the companion veins or the cephalic vein carry the flap's outflow
- During radial artery harvest for coronary bypass, its companion veins are taken with it or tied
- During radial arterial line placement, a needle that enters one of the companion veins returns dark blood that does not pulse
Test yourself
Think of the answer, then tap the question to see it.
What are the deep forearm veins?
Paired companion veins of the radial and ulnar arteries, with frequent cross-links; they unite near the elbow into the brachial veins.
Where do perforating veins mainly join the deep forearm veins to the superficial veins?
At the elbow, where one connects with the median cubital vein, and at the wrist.
Which veins can carry the outflow of a radial forearm free flap?
The companion veins of the radial artery (deep forearm veins) or the cephalic vein.
Educational information, not medical advice. For any symptom, see a health professional.
Its names
- Official Latin (TA2)
- venae radiales TA2 4988
- Official Spanish (DeCS)
- Venas radiales y ulnares
- English (TA2)
- Radial and ulnar veins
Sources: Terminologia Anatomica (TA2); Anatomy, Shoulder and Upper Limb, Veins.
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Representative model, for educational purposes only.
