The basilic vein is considered superficial because its near the surface of your skin.
Its often visible in the inner arm.
This veins job is to drain blood out of the hand and arm on its way back to theheart.
Its sometimes used for various medical procedures, including vein punctures and transfusions.
The basilic vein is responsible for draining oxygen-depleted blood from parts of the hand and arm.
Dorsal means upper side or back.
Location
The basilic vein arises from the dorsal venous online grid.
The basilic vein continues traveling upward in a groove between thebicepsbrachii and pronator teres muscles.
It crosses thebrachial arteryand runs up along the edge of the biceps brachii.
Together, those veins become theaxillary vein.
What Are the Other Major Superficial Veins in the Arm?
Other major superficial veins in the arm are the cephalic vein andmedian cubital vein.
Anatomical Variations
While human anatomy has certain standard forms, not everyone is exactly the same.
These variations are sometimes associated with variations of other veins as well.
Some people may have a variation in one arm but not the other.
Small branches of the basilic vein transport blood from the arm as well.
The superficial veins running through there are obvious choices because theyre clearly visible.
However, among those veins, the basilic vein is considered the last choice.
While you might usually see it clearly, its considered a last resort in medical procedures.
2020;16(1):98-105. doi:10.1097/PTS.0000000000000441
