vein (redirected from thymic veins)

vein (van) a vessel in which blood flows toward the heart, in the systemic circulation carrying blood that has given up most of its oxygen.

The three coats of a vein: (A), tunica intima (endothelium); (B), tunica media; (C), tunica externa.

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accompanying vein  a vein that closely follows the artery of the same name, seen especially in limbs.

accompanying vein of hypoglossal nerve  a vessel, formed by union of the vena profunda linguae and the vena sublingualis, that accompanies the hypoglossal nerve; it empties into the facial, lingual, or internal jugular vein.

afferent veins  veins that carry blood to an organ.

allantoic veins  paired vessels that accompany the allantois, growing out from the primitive hindgut and entering the body stalk of the early embryo.

anastomotic vein, inferior  a vein that interconnects the superficial middle cerebral vein and the transverse sinus.

anastomotic vein, superior  a vein that interconnects the superficial middle cerebral vein and the superior sagittal sinus.

angular vein  a short vein between the eye and the root of the nose; it is formed by union of the supratrochlear and supraorbital veins and continues inferiorly as the facial vein.

antebrachial vein, median  a vein that arises from a palmar venous plexus and passes up the forearm between the cephalic and the basilic veins to the elbow, where it either joins one of these, bifurcates to join both, or joins the median cubital vein.

anterior veins of right ventricle  small veins that drain blood from the ventral aspect of the right ventricle and empty into the right atrium.

anterior vein of septum pellucidum  a vein that drains the anterior septum pellucidum into the superior thalamostriate vein.

appendicular vein  the accompanying vein of the appendicular artery; it unites with the anterior and posterior cecal veins to form the ileocolic vein.

vein of aqueduct of cochlea  a vein along the aqueduct of the cochlea that empties into the superior bulb of the internal jugular vein.

vein of aqueduct of vestibule  a small vein from the internal ear that passes through the aqueduct of the vestibule and empties into the superior petrosal sinus.

arcuate veins of kidney  a series of complete arches across the bases of the renal pyramids; they are formed by union of the interlobular veins and the straight venules of kidney and drain into the interlobar veins.

articular veins  small vessels that drain the plexus around the temporomandibular articulation into the retromandibular vein.

auditory veins, internal  labyrinthine veins.

auricular veins, anterior  branches from the anterior part of the pinna that enter the superficial temporal vein.

auricular vein, posterior  a vein that begins in a plexus on the side of the head, passes down behind the pinna, and joins with the retromandibular vein to form the external jugular vein.

axillary vein  the venous trunk of the upper limb; it begins at the lower border of the teres major muscle by junction of the basilic and brachial veins, and at the lateral border of the first rib is continuous with the subclavian vein.

azygos vein  an intercepting trunk for the right intercostal veins as well as a connecting branch between the superior and inferior venae cavae: it arises from the ascending lumbar vein, passes up in the posterior mediastinum to the level of the fourth thoracic vertebra, where it arches over the root of the right lung and empties into the superior vena cava.

azygos vein, left  hemiazygos vein.

basal vein  a vein that arises at the anterior perforated substance, passes backward and around the cerebral peduncle, and empties into the internal cerebral vein.

basilic vein  the superficial vein that arises from the ulnar side of the dorsal rete of the hand, passes up the forearm, and joins with the brachial veins to form the axillary vein.

basilic vein, median  a vein sometimes present as the medial branch, ending in the basilic vein, of a bifurcation of the median antebrachial vein.

basivertebral veins  venous sinuses in the cancellous tissue of the bodies of the vertebrae, which communicate with the plexus of veins on the anterior surface of the vertebrae and with the anterior internal vertebral plexus.

brachial veins  the venae comitantes of the brachial artery, which join with the basilic vein to form the axillary vein.

brachiocephalic vein  either of the two veins that drain blood from the head, neck, and upper limbs, and unite to form the superior vena cava. Each is formed at the root of the neck by union of the ipsilateral internal jugular and subclavian veins. The right vein passes almost vertically downward in front of the brachiocephalic artery, and the left vein passes from left to right behind the upper part of the sternum. Each vein receives the vertebral, deep cervical, deep thyroid, and internal thoracic veins. The left vein also receives intercostal, thymic, tracheal, esophageal, phrenic, mediastinal, and pericardiac branches, as well as the thoracic duct; and the right vein receives the right lymphatic duct.

bronchial veins  vessels that drain blood from the larger subdivisions of the bronchi; on the left they drain into the azygos vein and on the right they drain into the hemiazygos vein or superior intercostal vein.

vein of bulb of penis  a vein draining blood from the bulb of the penis into the internal pudendal vein.

vein of bulb of vestibule  a vein draining blood from the bulb of the vestibule of the vagina into the internal pudendal vein.

cardiac veins, anterior  anterior veins of right ventricle.

cardiac vein, great  a vein that collects blood from the anterior surface of the ventricles, follows the anterior longitudinal sulcus, and empties into the coronary sinus.

cardiac vein, middle  a vein that collects blood from the diaphragmatic surface of the ventricles, follows the posterior longitudinal sulcus, and empties into the coronary sinus.

cardiac vein, small  a vein that collects blood from both parts of the right heart, follows the coronary sulcus to the left, and opens into the coronary sinus.

cardiac veins, smallest  numerous small veins arising in the muscular walls and draining independently into the cavities of the heart, and most readily seen in the atria.

cardinal veins  embryonic vessels that include the precardinal and postcardinal veins and the ducts of Cuvier (common cardinal v's) .

cavernous veins of penis  veins that return the blood from the corpora cavernosa to the deep veins and the dorsal vein of the penis.

central veins of liver  veins in the middle of the hepatic lobules, draining into the hepatic vein.

central vein of retina  the vein that is formed by union of the retinal veins; it passes out of the eyeball in the optic nerve to empty into the superior ophthalmic vein.

central vein of suprarenal gland  the large single vein into which the various veins within the substance of the gland empty, and which continues at the hilum as the suprarenal vein.

cephalic vein  the superficial vein that arises from the radial side of the dorsal rete of the hand, and winds anteriorly to pass along the anterior border of the brachioradialis muscle; above the elbow it ascends along the lateral border of the biceps muscle and the pectoral border of the deltoid muscle, and opens into the axillary vein.

cephalic vein, accessory  a vein arising from the dorsal rete of the hand, passing up the forearm to join the cephalic vein just above the elbow.

cephalic vein, median  a vein sometimes present as the lateral branch, ending in the cephalic vein, formed by bifurcation of the median antebrachial vein.

cerebellar veins, inferior  veins that drain the inferior surface of the cerebellum and empty into the transverse, sigmoid, inferior petrosal, and occipital sinuses.

cerebellar veins, superior  veins that drain the superior surfaces of the cerebellar hemisphere and empty into the straight sinus and the great cerebral vein or into the transverse and superior petrosal sinuses.

cerebral veins, anterior  veins that accompany the anterior cerebral artery and join the basal vein.

cerebral vein, deep middle  the vein that accompanies the middle cerebral artery in the floor of the lateral sulcus, and joins the basal vein.

cerebral vein, great  a short median trunk formed by union of the two internal cerebral veins, which curves around the splenium of the corpus callosum and empties into, or is continued as, the straight sinus.

cerebral veins, inferior  rather large superficial cerebral veins that ramify on the base and the inferolateral surface of the brain: those on the inferior surface of the frontal lobe drain into the inferior sagittal sinus and the cavernous sinus; those on the temporal lobe, into the superior petrosal sinus and the transverse sinus; those on the occipital lobe into the straight sinus.

cerebral veins, internal  two veins that arise at the interventricular foramen by the union on the thalamostriate and the choroid veins; they pass backward through the tela choroidea, collecting blood from the basal nuclei, and unite at the splenium of the corpus callosum to form the great cerebral vein.

cerebral veins, superficial middle  either of the two veins, one in each hemisphere, that drain the lateral surface of the cerebrum, follow the lateral cerebral fissure, and empty into the cavernous sinus; they are fed by the inferior and superior anastomotic veins.

cerebral veins, superior  the 8 to 12 superficial cerebral veins (prefrontal, frontal, parietal, and occipital) that drain the superior, lateral, and medial surfaces of the cerebrum toward the longitudinal cerebral fissure, where they open into the superior sagittal sinus.

cervical vein, deep  a vein that arises from a plexus in the suboccipital triangle, follows the deep cervical artery down the neck, and empties into the vertebral or the brachiocephalic vein.

cervical veins, transverse  veins that follow the transverse artery of the neck and open into the subclavian vein.

choroid vein, inferior  a vein that drains the inferior choroid plexus into the basal vein.

choroid vein, superior  the vein that runs along the whole length of the choroid plexus, draining it and the hippocampus, fornix, and corpus callosum; it unites with the superior thalamostriate vein to form the internal cerebral vein.

ciliary veins  veins that arise inside the eyeball by branches from the ciliary muscle and drain into the superior ophthalmic vein. The anterior ciliary veins follow the anterior ciliary arteries, and receive branches from the sinus venosus, sclerae, the episcleral veins, and the tunica conjunctiva bulbi. The posterior ciliary veins follow the posterior ciliary arteries and empty also into the inferior ophthalmic vein.

circumflex femoral veins, lateral  accompanying veins of the lateral circumflex femoral artery, emptying into the femoral or the deep femoral vein.

circumflex femoral veins, medial  accompanying veins of the medial circumflex femoral artery, emptying into the femoral or the deep femoral vein.

circumflex iliac vein, deep  a common trunk formed from the venae comitantes of the homonymous artery and emptying into the external iliac vein.

circumflex iliac vein, superficial  a vein that follows the homonymous artery and empties into the great saphenous vein.

vein of cochlear canaliculus  vein of aqueduct of cochlea.

colic vein, left  a vein that follows the left colic artery and opens into the inferior mesenteric vein.

colic vein, middle  a vein that follows the distribution of the middle colic artery and empties into the superior mesenteric vein

colic vein, right  a vein that follows the distribution of the right colic artery and empties into the superior mesenteric vein.

conjunctival veins  small veins that drain blood from the conjunctiva to the superior ophthalmic vein.

coronary vein, left  the portion of the great cardiac vein lying in the coronary sulcus; it receives blood from the anterior interventricular vein and empties into the coronary sinus.

coronary vein, right  the portion of the middle cardiac vein that receives blood from the posterior interventricular vein and empties into the coronary sinus.

cubital vein, median  the large connecting branch that arises from the cephalic vein below the elbow and passes obliquely upward over the cubital fossa to join the basilic vein

cutaneous vein  one of the small veins that begin in the papillae of the skin, form subpapillary plexuses, and open into the subcutaneous veins.

cystic vein  a small vein that returns the blood from the gallbladder to the right branch of the portal vein, within the substance of the liver.

deep veins of clitoris  small veins of the clitoris that drain into the vesical venous plexus.

deep veins of penis  veins that follow the distribution of the homonymous artery and empty into the dorsal vein of the penis.

digital veins, palmar  the accompanying veins of the proper and common palmar digital arteries, which join the superficial palmar venous arch.

digital veins, plantar  veins from the plantar surfaces of the toes which unite at the clefts to form the plantar metatarsal veins of the foot.

digital veins of foot, dorsal  the veins on the dorsal surfaces of the toes that unite in pairs around each cleft to form the dorsal metatarsal veins.

diploic vein, anterior temporal  a vein that drains the lateral portion of the frontal and the anterior part of the parietal bone, opening internally into the sphenoparietal sinus and externally into a deep temporal vein.

diploic vein, frontal  a vein that drains the frontal bone, emptying externally into the supraorbital vein or internally into the superior sagittal sinus.

diploic vein, occipital  the largest of the diploic veins, which drains blood from the occipital bone and empties into the occipital vein or the transverse sinus.

diploic vein, posterior temporal  a vein that drains the parietal bone and empties into the transverse sinus.

dorsal vein of clitoris, deep  a vein that follows the course of its homonymous artery and opens into the vesical plexus.

dorsal veins of clitoris, superficial  veins that collect blood subcutaneously from the clitoris and drain into the external pudendal vein.

dorsal vein of corpus callosum  a vein that drains the superior surface of the corpus callosum into the great cerebral vein.

dorsal vein of penis, deep  a vein lying subfascially in the midline of the penis between the dorsal arteries; it begins in small veins around the corona glandis, is joined by the deep veins of the penis as it passes proximally, and passes between the arcuate pubic and transverse perineal ligaments where it divides into a left and right vein to join the prostatic plexus.

dorsal veins of penis, superficial  veins that collect blood subcutaneously from the penis and drain into the external pudendal vein.

dorsal veins of tongue  veins that unite with a small vena comitans of the lingual artery and join the main lingual trunk.

emissary vein  one passing through a foramen of the skull and draining blood from a cerebral sinus into a vessel outside the skull.

emissary vein, condylar  a small vein running through the condylar canal of the skull, connecting the sigmoid sinus with the vertebral or the internal jugular vein.

emissary vein, mastoid  a small vein passing through the mastoid foramen of the skull and connecting the sigmoid sinus with the occipital or the posterior auricular vein.

emissary vein, occipital  an occasional small vein running through a minute foramen in the occipital protuberance of the skull and connecting the confluence of the sinuses with the occipital vein.

emissary vein, parietal  a small vein passing through the parietal foramen of the skull and connecting the superior sagittal sinus with the superficial temporal veins.

epigastric vein, inferior  a vein that accompanies the inferior epigastric artery and opens into the external iliac vein.

epigastric vein, superficial  a vein that follows its homonymous artery and opens into the great saphenous or the femoral vein.

epigastric veins, superior  the venae comitantes of the superior epigastric artery, which open into the internal thoracic vein.

episcleral veins  the veins that ring the cornea and drain into the vorticose and ciliary veins.

esophageal veins  small veins that drain blood from the esophagus into the hemiazygos and azygos veins, or into the left brachiocephalic vein.

ethmoidal veins  veins that follow the anterior and posterior ethmoidal arteries, emerge from the ethmoidal foramina, and empty into the superior ophthalmic vein.

facial vein  the vein that begins at the medial angle of the eye as the angular vein, descends behind the facial artery, and usually ends in the internal jugular vein; this vessel sometimes joins the retromandibular vein to form a common trunk.

facial vein, deep  a vein draining from the pterygoid plexus to the facial vein.

facial vein, posterior  retromandibular vein.

facial vein, transverse  a vein that passes backward with the transverse facial artery just below the zygomatic arch to join the retromandibular vein.

femoral vein  a vein that lies in the proximal two-thirds of the thigh; it is a direct continuation of the popliteal vein, follows the course of the femoral artery, and at the inguinal ligament becomes the external iliac vein.

femoral vein, deep  a vein that follows the distribution of the deep femoral artery and opens into the femoral vein.

fibular veins  the accompanying veins of the fibular artery, emptying into the posterior tibial vein.

frontal veins 

1. a group of superior cerebral veins, superficial cerebral veins that drain the cortex of the frontal lobe.

2. supratrochlear v's.

gastric vein, left  the accompanying vein of the left gastric artery, emptying into the portal vein.

gastric vein, right  the vena comitans of the right gastric artery, emptying into the portal vein.

gastric veins, short  small vessels draining the left portion of the greater curvature of the stomach and emptying into the splenic vein.

gastroepiploic vein, left  left gastroomental vein.

gastroepiploic vein, right  right gastroomental vein.

gastroomental vein, left  a vein that follows the distribution of its homonymous artery and empties into the splenic vein.

gastroomental vein, right  a vein that follows the distribution of its homonymous artery and empties into the superior mesenteric vein.

genicular veins  veins accompanying the genicular arteries and draining into the popliteal vein.

gluteal veins, inferior  accompanying veins of the inferior gluteal artery; they drain the subcutaneous tissue of the back of the thigh and the muscles of the buttock, unite into a single vein after passing through the greater sciatic foramen, and empty into the internal iliac vein.

gluteal veins, superior  accompanying veins of the superior gluteal artery; they drain the muscles of the buttock, pass through the greater sciatic foramen, and empty into the internal iliac vein.

hemiazygos vein  an intercepting trunk for the lower left posterior intercostal veins; it arises from the ascending lumbar vein, passes up on the left side of the vertebrae to the eighth thoracic vertebra, where it may receive the accessory branch, and crosses over the vertebral column to open into the azygos vein.

hemiazygos vein, accessory  the descending intercepting trunk for the upper, often the fourth through the eighth, left posterior intercostal veins. It lies on the left side and at the eighth thoracic vertebra joins the hemiazygos vein or crosses to the right side to join the azygos vein directly; above, it may communicate with the left superior intercostal vein.

hepatic veins  several veins that receive blood from the central veins of the liver. The upper group usually consists of two or three large veins, and the lower group consists of six to twenty small veins; all form successively larger vessels (right, left, and middle hepatic veins) that ultimately open into the inferior vena cava on the posterior aspect of the liver.

ileal veins  veins draining blood from the ileum into the superior mesenteric vein.

ileocolic vein  a vein that follows the distribution of its homonymous artery and empties into the vena mesenterica superior.

iliac vein, common  a vein that arises at the sacroiliac articulation by union of the external iliac and the internal iliac veins, and passes upward to the right side of the fifth lumbar vertebra where the two unite to form the inferior vena cava.

iliac vein, external  the continuation of the femoral vein from the inguinal ligament to the sacroiliac articulation, where it joins with the internal iliac vein to form the common iliac vein.

iliac vein, internal  a short trunk formed by union of parietal branches; it extends from the greater sciatic notch to the brim of the pelvis, where it joins the external iliac vein to form the common iliac vein.

iliolumbar vein  a vein that follows the distribution of the iliolumbar artery and opens into the internal iliac or the common iliac vein, or it may divide to end in both.

inferior vein of vermis  a vein that drains the inferior surface of the cerebellum; it runs backward on the inferior vermis to empty into the straight sinus or one of the sigmoid sinuses.

innominate vein  brachiocephalic vein.

insular veins  veins that drain the insula and join the deep middle cerebral vein.

intercapitular veins of foot  veins at the clefts of the toes which pass between the heads of the metatarsal bones and establish communication between the dorsal and the plantar venous system.

intercapitular veins of hand  veins at the clefts of the finger which pass between the heads of the metacarpal bones and establish communication between the dorsal and the palmar venous system of the hand.

intercostal veins, anterior  the twelve paired venae comitantes of the anterior thoracic arteries, which drain into the internal thoracic veins.

intercostal vein, highest  the first posterior intercostal vein of either side, which passes over the apex of the lung and ends in the brachiocephalic, vertebral, or superior intercostal vein.

intercostal vein, left superior  the common trunk formed by union of the second, third, and sometimes fourth posterior intercostal veins, which crosses the arch of the aorta and joins the left brachiocephalic vein.

intercostal veins, posterior  the veins that accompany the corresponding intercostal arteries and drain the intercostal spaces posteriorly; the first ends in the brachiocephalic or the vertebral vein, the second and third join the superior intercostal vein, and the fourth to eleventh join the azygos vein on the right and the hemiazygos veins on the left.

intercostal vein, right superior  a common trunk formed by union of the second, third, and sometimes fourth posterior intercostal veins, which drains into the azygos vein.

interlobar veins of kidney  veins that drain the arcuate veins, pass down between the renal pyramids, and unite to form the renal vein.

interlobular veins of kidney  veins that collect blood from the capillary network of the renal cortex and empty into the arcuate veins.

interlobular veins of liver  the veins that arise as tributaries of the portal vein between the hepatic lobules.

interosseous veins, anterior  the veins accompanying the anterior interosseous artery, which join the ulnar veins near the elbow.

interosseous veins, posterior  the veins accompanying the posterior interosseous artery, which join the ulnar veins near the elbow.

interventricular vein, anterior  the portion of the great cardiac vein ascending in the anterior interventricular sulcus and emptying into the left coronary vein.

interventricular vein, posterior  middle cardiac v.

intervertebral vein  any one of the veins that drain the vertebral plexuses, passing out through the intervertebral foramina and emptying into the regional veins: in the neck, into the vertebral; in the thorax, the intercostal; in the abdomen, the lumbar; and in the pelvis, the lateral sacral veins.

jejunal veins  veins draining blood from the jejunum into the superior mesenteric vein.

jugular vein, anterior  a vein that arises under the chin, passes down the neck, and opens into the external jugular or the subclavian vein or into the jugular venous arch.

jugular vein, external  the vein that begins in the parotid gland behind the angle of the jaw by union of the retromandibular and the posterior auricular vein, passes down the neck, and opens into the subclavian, the internal jugular, or the brachiocephalic vein.

jugular vein, internal  the vein that begins as the superior bulb in the jugular fossa, draining much of the head and neck; it descends with first the internal carotid and then the common carotid artery in the neck, and joins with the subclavian vein to form the brachiocephalic vein.

labial veins, anterior  veins that collect blood from the anterior aspect of the labia and drain into the external pudendal vein; they are homologues of the anterior scrotal veins in the male.

labial veins, inferior  veins that drain the region of the lower lip into the facial vein.

labial veins, posterior  small branches from the labia which open into the vesical venous plexus; they are homologues of the posterior scrotal veins in the male.

labial vein, superior  the vein that drains blood from the region of the upper lip into the facial vein.

labyrinthine veins  several small veins that pass through the internal acoustic meatus from the cochlea into the inferior petrosal or the transverse sinus.

lacrimal vein  the vein that drains blood from the lacrimal gland into the superior ophthalmic vein.

laryngeal vein, inferior  a vein draining blood from the larynx into the inferior thyroid vein.

laryngeal vein, superior  a vein that drains blood from the larynx into the superior thyroid vein.

lateral direct veins  veins of the lateral ventricle, draining into the great cerebral vein.

vein of lateral ventricle, lateral  a vein passing through the lateral wall of the lateral ventricle to drain the temporal and parietal lobes into the superior thalamostriate vein.

vein of lateral ventricle, medial  a vein passing through the medial wall of the lateral ventricle to drain the parietal and occipital lobes into the internal cerebral or great cerebral vein.

lingual vein  the deep vein that follows the distribution of the lingual artery and empties into the internal jugular vein.

lingual vein, deep  a vein that drains blood from the deep aspect of the tongue and joins the sublingual vein to form the vena comitans of the hypoglossal nerve.

lingual veins, dorsal  veins that unite with a small vena comitans of the lingual artery and join the main lingual trunk.

lumbar veins  the veins, four or five on each side, that accompany the corresponding lumbar arteries and drain the posterior wall of the abdomen, vertebral canal, spinal cord, and meninges; the first four usually end in the inferior vena cava, although the first may end in the ascending lumbar vein; the fifth is a tributary of the iliolumbar or of the common iliac vein; and all are generally united by the ascending iliac vein.

lumbar vein, ascending  an ascending intercepting vein for the lumbar veins of either side; it begins in the lateral sacral veins and passes up the spine to the first lumbar vertebra, where by union with the subcostal vein it becomes on the right side the azygos vein, and on the left side, the hemiazygos vein.

marginal vein, right  a vein ascending along the right margin of the heart, draining adjacent parts of the right ventricle and opening into the right atrium or anterior cardiac veins.

maxillary veins  veins from the pterygoid plexus, usually forming a single short trunk, passing back and uniting with the superficial temporal vein in the parotid gland to form the retromandibular vein.

mediastinal veins  numerous small branches that drain blood from the anterior mediastinum into the brachiocephalic vein, azygos vein, or the superior vena cava.

veins of medulla oblongata  the veins that drain the medulla oblongata, which empty into the veins of the spinal cord, the adjacent dural venous sinuses, or along the last four cranial nerves to the inferior petrosal sinus or superior bulb of the jugular vein.

meningeal veins  the venae comitantes of the meningeal arteries, which drain the dura mater, communicate with the lateral lacunae, and empty into the regional sinuses and veins.

meningeal veins, middle  the venae comitantes of the middle meningeal artery, which end in the pterygoid venous plexus.

mesenteric vein, inferior  a vein that follows the distribution of its homonymous artery and empties into the splenic vein.

mesenteric vein, superior  a vein that follows the distribution of its homonymous artery and joins with the splenic vein to form the hepatic portal vein.

metacarpal veins, dorsal  veins that arise from the union of dorsal veins of adjacent fingers and pass proximally to join in forming the dorsal venous rete of the hand.

metacarpal veins, palmar  the venae comitantes of the palmar metacarpal arteries, which open into the deep palmar venous arch.

metatarsal veins, dorsal  veins that are formed by the dorsal digital veins of the toes at the clefts of the toes, joining the dorsal venous arch.

metatarsal veins, plantar  deep veins of the foot that arise from the plantar digital veins at the clefts of the toes and pass back to open into the plantar venous arch.

musculophrenic veins  the venae comitantes of the musculophrenic artery, draining blood from parts of the diaphragm and from the wall of the thorax and abdomen.

nasal veins, external  small ascending branches from the nose that open into the angular and facial veins.

nasofrontal vein  a vein that begins at the supraorbital vein, enters the orbit, and joins the superior ophthalmic vein.

oblique vein of left atrium  a small vein from the left atrium that opens into the coronary sinus.

obturator veins  veins that drain the hip joint and the regional muscles, enter the pelvis through the obturator canal, and empty into the internal iliac or the inferior epigastric vein, or both.

occipital vein  a vein in the scalp that follows the distribution of the occipital artery and opens under the trapezius muscle into the suboccipital venous plexus; it may continue with the occipital artery and end in the internal jugular vein.

ophthalmic vein, inferior  a vein formed by confluence of muscular and ciliary branches, and running backward either to join the superior ophthalmic vein or to open directly into the cavernous sinus; it sends a communicating branch through the inferior orbital fissure to join the pterygoid venous plexus.

ophthalmic vein, superior  the vein that begins at the medial angle of the eyelid, where it communicates with the frontal, supraorbital, and angular veins; it follows the distribution of the ophthalmic artery, and may be joined by the inferior ophthalmic vein at the superior orbital fissure before opening into the cavernous sinus.

veins of orbit  the veins that drain the orbit and its structures, including the superior ophthalmic vein and its tributaries and the inferior ophthalmic vein.

ovarian vein, left  a vein that drains the left pampiniform plexus of the broad ligament and empties into the left renal vein.

ovarian vein, right  a vein that drains the right pampiniform plexus of the broad ligament and empties into the inferior vena cava.

palatine vein, external  the vein that drains blood from the tonsils and the soft palate into the facial vein.

palpebral veins  small branches from the eyelids that open into the superior ophthalmic vein.

palpebral veins, inferior  branches that drain the blood from the lower eyelid into the facial vein.

palpebral veins, superior  branches that drain the blood from the upper eyelid to the angular vein.

pancreatic veins  numerous branches from the pancreas which open into the splenic and the superior mesenteric veins.

pancreaticoduodenal veins  four veins that drain blood from the pancreas and duodenum, closely following the homonymous arteries. A superior and an inferior vein originate from both an anterior and a posterior venous arcade. The anterior superior vein joins the right gastroomental vein; the posterior superior vein joins the portal vein. The anterior and posterior inferior veins join, sometimes as one trunk and other times joining the uppermost jejunal vein or the superior mesenteric vein.

paraumbilical veins  veins that communicate with the portal vein and anastomose with the superior and inferior epigastric and the superior vesical veins in the region of the umbilicus. They form a part of the collateral circulation of the portal vein in the event of hepatic obstruction.

parotid veins  small veins from the parotid gland that open into the superficial temporal vein.

perforating veins 

1. veins that accompany the perforating arteries and connect superficial and deep veins, establishing an anastomosis between the deep femoral vein and the popliteal vein below and the inferior gluteal vein above.

2. an inconstant group of veins seen as tributaries of the great saphenous vein, anastomosing between it and other veins of the lower leg.

pericardiacophrenic veins  small veins that drain blood from the pericardium and diaphragm into the left brachiocephalic vein.

pericardial veins  numerous small branches that drain blood from the pericardium into the brachiocephalic, inferior thyroid and azygos veins, and the superior vena cava.

peroneal veins  fibular v's.

pharyngeal veins  veins that drain the pharyngeal plexus and empty into the internal jugular vein.

phrenic veins, inferior  veins that follow the homonymous arteries, the one on the right entering the inferior vena cava, and the one on the left entering the left suprarenal or renal vein or the inferior vena cava.

veins of pons  the veins that drain the pons, which empty into the basal vein, cerebellar veins, petrosal or venous sinuses, or venous plexus of the foramen ovale.

popliteal vein  a vein following the popliteal artery, and formed by union of the venae comitantes of the anterior and posterior tibial arteries; at the adductor hiatus it becomes continuous with the femoral vein.

portal vein  a short thick trunk formed by union of the superior mesenteric and the splenic veins behind the neck of the pancreas; it passes upward to the right end of the porta hepatis, where it divides into successively smaller branches, following the branches of the hepatic artery, until it forms a capillary-like system of sinusoids that permeates the entire substance of the liver.

postcardinal veins  paired vessels in the early embryo caudal to the heart.

posterior vein of corpus callosum  a vein that drains the posterior surface of the corpus callosum into the great cerebral vein.

posterior vein of left ventricle  the vein that drains blood from the posterior surface of the left ventricle into the coronary sinus.

posterior vein of septum pellucidum  a vein that drains the posterior septum pellucidum into the superior thalamostriate vein.

precardinal veins  paired venous trunks in the embryo cranial to the heart.

prepyloric vein  a vein that accompanies the prepyloric artery, passing upward over the anterior surface of the junction between the pylorus and the duodenum and emptying into the right gastric vein.

vein of pterygoid canal  one of the veins that pass through the pterygoid canal and empty into the pterygoid plexus.

pudendal veins, external  veins that follow the distribution of the external pudendal artery and open into the great saphenous vein.

pudendal vein, internal  a vein that follows the course of the internal pudendal artery, and drains into the internal iliac vein.

pulmonary vein, left inferior  the vein that returns blood from the lower lobe of the left lung (from the superior apical branch and the common basal vein) to the left atrium of the heart.

pulmonary vein, left superior  the vein that returns blood from the upper lobe of the left lung (from the apicoposterior, anterior, and lingular branches) to the left atrium of the heart.

pulmonary vein, right inferior  the vein that returns blood from the lower lobe of the right lung (from the superior [apical] branch and from the common, superior, and inferior basal veins) to the left atrium of the heart.

pulmonary vein, right superior  the vein that returns blood from the upper and middle lobes of the right lung (from the superior [apical], anterior, and posterior branches and the middle lobar branch) to the left atrium of the heart.

pulp veins  vessels draining the venous sinuses of the spleen.

pyloric vein  right gastric v.

radial veins  the venae comitantes of the radial artery, which open into the brachial veins.

ranine vein  sublingual v.

rectal veins, inferior  veins that drain the rectal plexus into the internal pudendal vein.

rectal veins, middle  veins that drain the rectal plexus and empty into the internal iliac and superior rectal veins.

rectal vein, superior  the vein that drains the upper part of the rectal plexus into the inferior mesenteric vein and thus establishes connection between the portal system and the systemic circulation.

retromandibular vein  the vein that is formed in the upper part of the parotid gland behind the neck of the mandible by union of the maxillary and superficial temporal veins; it passes downward through the gland, communicates with the facial vein, and emerging from the gland joins with the posterior auricular vein to form the external jugular vein.

sacral veins, lateral  veins that follow the homonymous arteries, help to form the lateral sacral plexus, and empty into the internal iliac vein or the superior gluteal veins.

sacral vein, median  a vein that follows the middle sacral artery and opens into the common iliac vein.

saphenous vein, accessory  a vein that, when present, drains the medial and posterior superficial parts of the thigh and opens into the great saphenous vein.

saphenous vein, great  the longest vein in the body, extending from the dorsum of the foot to just below the inguinal ligament, where it opens into the femoral vein.

saphenous vein, small  the vein that continues the marginal vein from behind the malleolus and passes up the back of the leg to the knee joint, where it opens into the popliteal vein.

scleral veins  tributaries of the anterior ciliary veins that drain the sclera.

scrotal veins, anterior  veins that collect blood from the anterior aspect of the scrotum and drain into the external pudendal vein.

scrotal veins, posterior  small branches from the scrotum that open into the vesical venous plexus.

sigmoid veins  veins from the sigmoid colon that empty into the inferior mesenteric vein.

spinal veins, anterior  a group of longitudinal veins forming a plexus on the dorsal surface of the spinal cord, comprising a median vein lying anterior to the anterior median fissure and two anterolateral veins lying slightly posterior to the ventral nerve roots; they drain the anterior spinal cord.

spinal veins, posterior  a group of longitudinal, usually discontinuous, veins forming a plexus on the posterior surface of the spinal cord, comprising a median vein lying behind the posterior median septum and two posterolateral veins lying posterior to the dorsal nerve roots; they drain the posterior spinal cord.

spiral vein of modiolus  a small vein in the spiral modiolus, a tributary of the labyrinthine veins.

splenic vein  the vein formed by union of several branches at the hilum of the spleen, passing from left to right to the neck of the pancreas, where it joins the superior mesenteric vein to form the portal vein.

stellate veins of kidney  veins on the surface of the kidney that collect blood from the superficial parts of the renal cortex and empty into the interlobular veins.

sternocleidomastoid vein  a vein that follows the course of the homonymous artery and opens into the internal jugular vein.

stylomastoid vein  a vein following the stylomastoid artery and emptying into the retromandibular vein.

subcardinal veins  paired vessels in the embryo, replacing the postcardinal veins and persisting to some degree as definitive vessels.

subclavian vein  the vein that continues the axillary as the main venous stem of the upper member, follows the subclavian artery, and joins with the internal jugular vein to form the brachiocephalic vein.

subcostal vein  the vena comitans of the subcostal artery on the left or right side; it joins the ascending lumbar vein to form the azygos vein on the right or the hemiazygos vein on the left.

subcutaneous veins of abdomen  the superficial veins of the abdominal wall.

sublingual vein  a vein that follows the sublingual artery and opens into the lingual vein.

sublobular veins  tributaries of the hepatic veins that receive the central veins of hepatic lobules.

submental vein  a vein that follows the submental artery and opens into the facial vein.

supracardinal veins  paired vessels in the embryo, developing later than the subcardinal veins and persisting chiefly as the lower segment of the inferior vena cava.

supraorbital vein  the vein that passes down the forehead lateral to the supratrochlear vein, joining it at the root of the nose to form the angular vein.

suprarenal vein, left  the vein that returns blood from the left suprarenal gland to the left renal vein.

suprarenal vein, right  a vein that drains the right suprarenal gland into the inferior vena cava.

suprascapular vein  the vein that accompanies the homonymous artery (sometimes as two veins that unite), opening usually into the external jugular, or occasionally into the subclavian vein.

supratrochlear veins  two veins, each beginning in a venous plexus high up on the forehead and descending to the root of the nose, where it joins with the supraorbital to form the angular vein.

sural veins  veins that ascend with the sural arteries and drain blood from the calf into the popliteal vein.

temporal veins, deep  veins that drain the deep portions of the temporal muscle and empty into the pterygoid plexus.

temporal vein, middle  the vein that arises in the substance of the temporal muscle and passes down under the fascia to the zygoma, where it breaks through to join the superficial temporal vein.

temporal veins, superficial  veins that drain the lateral part of the scalp in the frontal and parietal regions, the tributaries forming a single superficial temporal vein in front of the ear, just above the zygoma. This descending vein receives the middle temporal and transverse facial veins and, entering the parotid gland, unites with the maxillary vein deep to the neck of the mandible to form the retromandibular vein.

testicular vein, left  a vein that drains the left pampiniform plexus and empties into the left renal vein.

testicular vein, right  a vein that drains the right pampiniform plexus and empties into the inferior vena cava.

thalamostriate veins, inferior  veins that pass through the anterior perforate substance and join the deep middle cerebral and anterior cerebral veins to form the basal vein.

thalamostriate vein, superior  a vein that collects blood from the corpus striatum and thalamus, and joins with the choroid vein to form the internal cerebral vein.

thoracic veins, internal  two veins formed by junction of the accompanying veins of the internal thoracic artery of either side; each continues along the artery to open into the brachiocephalic vein.

thoracic vein, lateral  a large vein accompanying the lateral thoracic artery and draining into the axillary vein.

thoracoacromial vein  the vein that follows the homonymous artery and opens into the subclavian vein.

thoracoepigastric veins  long, longitudinal, superficial veins in the anterolateral subcutaneous tissue of the torso, which empty superiorly into the lateral thoracic and inferiorly into the femoral vein.

thymic veins  small branches from the thymus gland that open into the left brachiocephalic vein.

thyroid vein, inferior  either of two veins, left and right, that drain the thyroid plexus into the left and right brachiocephalic veins; occasionally they may unite into a common trunk to empty, usually, into the left brachiocephalic vein.

thyroid veins, middle  veins that drain blood from the thyroid gland into the internal jugular vein.

thyroid vein, superior  a vein arising from the upper part of the thyroid gland on either side, opening into the internal jugular vein, occasionally in common with the facial vein.

tibial veins, anterior  accompanying veins of the anterior tibial artery, which unite with the posterior tibial veins to form the fibular vein.

tibial veins, posterior  accompanying veins of the posterior tibial artery, which unite with the anterior tibial veins to form the fibular vein.

trabecular veins  vessels coursing in splenic trabeculae, formed by tributary pulp veins.

tracheal veins  small branches that drain blood from the trachea into the brachiocephalic vein.

tympanic veins  small veins from the tympanic cavity that pass through the petrotympanic fissure, open into the plexus around the temporomandibular articulation, and finally drain into the retromandibular vein.

ulnar veins  the accompanying veins of the ulnar artery, which unite with the radial veins at the elbow to form the brachial veins.

umbilical vein  the vein formed by fusion of the atrophied right umbilical vein with the left umbilical vein, the two veins that carry blood from the chorion to the sinus venosus and heart in the early embryo; it carries all the blood from the placenta to the ductus venosus.

vein of uncus  a vein that drains the uncus into the ipsilateral inferior cerebral vein.

uterine veins  veins that drain the uterine plexus into the internal iliac veins.

varicose vein  a dilated, tortuous vein, usually in the subcutaneous tissues of the leg; incompetency of the venous valve is associated.

ventricular vein, inferior  a vein that drains the temporal lobe into the basal vein.

vertebral vein, anterior  a small vein accompanying the ascending cervical artery; it arises in a venous plexus adjacent to the more cranial cervical transverse processes, and descends to end in the vertebral vein.

vesalian vein  an emissary vein connecting the cavernous sinus with the pterygoid venous plexus.

veins of Vieussens  anterior v's of right ventricle.

vitelline veins  veins that return the blood from the yolk sac to the primitive heart of the early embryo.

vorticose veins  four veins that pierce the sclera and carry blood from the choroid to the superior ophthalmic vein.

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vein (vn)

n.

Any of the branching blood vessels carrying blood toward the heart. All veins except the pulmonary vein carry dark unaerated blood.

v.

To supply or fill with veins.

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veinal adj.

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vein (vān),

n a blood vessel that conducts blood from the capillary bed to the heart. Size may range from the venules to small veins to large veins. See also each of the individual veins of the head and neck as they are listed.

vein, retromandibular

n the vein formed posterior to the mandible by the joining of maxillary and superficial temporal veins. The posterior branch connects with the external jugular vein while the anterior branch enters the internal jugular vein.

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vein

a vessel through which blood passes from various organs or parts back towards the heart, in the systemic circulation carrying blood that has given up most of its oxygen. Veins, like arteries, have three coats, an inner, middle and outer, but the coats are not so thick and they collapse when the vessel is cut. Many veins, especially the superficial, have valves formed of reduplication of their lining membrane. For a complete list of the named veins of the body, see Table 15.

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afferent v's

veins that carry blood to an organ.

allantoic v's

paired vessels that accompany the allantois, growing out from the primitive hindgut and entering the body stalk of the early embryo.

cardinal v's

the major veins within the early embryo that include the pre- and postcardinal veins and the ducts of Cuvier (common cardinal veins).

emissary vein

a vein escaping from a chamber or organ such as one passing through a foramen of the skull and draining blood from a cerebral sinus into a vessel outside the skull.

postcardinal v's

paired vessels in the early embryo that return blood from regions caudal to the heart.

precardinal v's

paired venous trunks in the embryo cranial to the heart.

pulp v's

vessels draining the venous sinuses of the spleen.

subcardinal v's

paired vessels in the embryo, replacing the postcardinal veins and persisting to some degree as definitive vessels.

sublobular v's

tributaries of the hepatic veins that receive the central veins of hepatic lobules.

supracardinal v's

paired vessels in the embryo developing later than the subcardinal veins and persisting chiefly as the lower segment of the inferior vena cava.

thebesian v's

smallest cardiac veins: numerous small veins arising in the muscular walls and draining independently into the cavities of the heart, and most readily seen in the atria.

trabecular v's

vessels coursing in splenic trabeculae, formed by tributary pulp veins.

varicose v's

permanently dilated, tortuous veins. The milk vein of a lactating cow is a normal varicose vein. See varicose veins.

vitelline v's

veins that return the blood from the yolk sac to the primitive heart of the early embryo.