Superior intercostal vein
The superior intercostal veins are two veins that drain the 2nd, 3rd, and 4th intercostal spaces, one vein for each side of the body.
| Superior intercostal vein | |
|---|---|
 Intercostal spaces, viewed from the left | |
| Details | |
| Source | Posterior intercostal veins #2, #3, and #4 |
| Drains to | Azygos vein, brachiocephalic vein |
| Artery | Intercostal arteries |
| Identifiers | |
| Latin | Vena intercostalis superior dextra, vena intercostalis superior sinistra |
| TA | A12.3.04.024 A12.3.07.003 |
| FMA | 4797 |
| Anatomical terminology | |
Right superior intercostal vein
The right superior intercostal vein drains the 2nd, 3rd, and 4th posterior intercostal veins on the right side of the body. It flows into the azygos vein.
Left superior intercostal vein
The left superior intercostal vein drains the 2nd and 3rd posterior intercostal veins on the left side of the body. It drains into the azygos vein or left brachiocephalic vein. It may also communicate with the accessory hemiazygos vein.
As it passes posteriorly above the aortic arch, it crosses deep to the phrenic nerve and the pericardiacophrenic vessels and then superficial to the vagus nerve.
External links
- Anatomy photo:21:12-0105 at the SUNY Downstate Medical Center - The Azygos Vein and Posterior Intercostal Veins
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