intercostal vein
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Related to intercostal vein: azygos vein, brachiocephalic vein, highest intercostal vein, Supreme intercostal vein
intercostal vein
Any of the veins that accompany the intercostal arteries and drain blood from the walls of the chest. The upper intercostal vein empties into the ipsilateral brachiocephalic or vertebral vein. Intercostal veins 2-4 merge to form the superior intercostal vein, which drains into the azygos vein on the right and the accessory hemiazygos vein on the left. Lower intercostal veins drain directly into the azygos vein on the right and the hemiazygos vein on the left.
Synonym: posterior intercostal veinSee also: vein
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