The brachial vein is a vein of the upper arm. It is located between the elbow and the armpit. Its job is to carry blood back to the heart.
What is the brachial vein?
The brachial vein is a vein located in the upper arm of a person. Because of its location, it is also called the brachial vein. It is created in pairs. For this reason, it is located in both arms. There are various superficial and deep veins in the upper arm. The brachial vein is classified as a deep vein. The deep vein network begins in the palm and runs along the entire arm. The brachial vein finds its origin in the elbow and extends into the armpit. It is formed by the union of several ulnar and radial veins. All the deep veins of the hand and arm together transport venous blood from the back of the hand to the heart. Venous blood is blood that is low in oxygen. It consists of cells, blood plasma, messengers and nutrients that are carried to the heart. Blood flows from the hands to the body’s veins through the veins in the arm. These are large veins through which medications can be delivered to the organism through an access. In addition, they are used to draw blood for control purposes.
Anatomy and structure
The brachial vein is different in each person. In many people, the blood conductor is duplicated. In the back of the hand, the basilic vein runs. It continues to flow into the forearm to the crook of the elbow. In the forearm there are several smaller veins with the radial vein and the ulinaris vein. All the veins unite in the medial ulnar flexure. This is located on the side of the ulnar flexor facing the body. Due to the union of the veins, the brachial vein finds its origin in the elbow. It runs along the upper arm cranially to the axilla. Its perpendicular course upward is on the inner side of the upper arm. Near it are the brachial artery and the median nerve. The brachial vein opens in the axilla. There, in the axilla, is the axillary vein, with which it joins. An exact junction of the two veins is not anatomically defined. The brachial vein is a deep vein of the arm. The vena basilica, as a superficial vein, has a similar course in the adipose tissue of the subcutis.
Function and Tasks
The function of the brachial vein is to transport blood. Via the vein, blood coming from the hand and forearm is transported further to the armpit of the person via the upper arm. From there, it is directed to the body’s veins. Venous blood flows in the brachial vein. This is characterized by the fact that it is low in oxygen compared to arterial blood. Veins have a thinner vessel wall. If it is damaged, the patient experiences less pain than if arteries are damaged. For this reason, veins are preferred for drawing blood or delivering drugs, hormones, messengers and nutrients during medical procedures. Blood and all substances transported with it reach the heart through the venous network. Arterial blood flows away from the heart and venous blood flows to the heart. Messenger substances that are absorbed or supplied are therefore conveyed to the heart via the veins in a short time. There they can exert their effect or are transported further to their destination via the arteries. Since the brachial vein is a deep upper arm vein, it cannot be seen, felt or palpated from the outside. It flows between the muscles of the upper arm and is therefore well protected by external influences. If damage occurs to the superficial arm veins, the blood flow via the brachial vein is nevertheless ensured in a sufficient form. Through it, the risk of total failure of blood circulation of venous blood in case of damage to the arm is reduced.
Diseases
Damage to the vascular wall of veins can cause bruising. Because the vessel wall is thin, even slight bruising, contusions, or pressure can cause it to become damaged. In particular, when blood is drawn or medication is delivered to the veins, damage often occurs. These cause venous blood to leak out. These bleedings cause bruises. Applying pressure to these spots may be accompanied by a sensation of pain. The spots should be cooled immediately. This will stop the bleeding and may prevent it from spreading. In most cases, the healing process starts very quickly and the bruises disappear after a few days.If there is an increase in the size of the bruises or the region, a doctor should be consulted. In this case, further bleeding takes place. This leads to the fact that the heart activity is increased. In particularly bad and persistent cases, this leads to a strain on the heart and other organs. The risk of a heart attack increases. Other organs may not be adequately supplied and suffer failure symptoms. Cells in the body are transported via the blood. If a tumor forms in one place, there is a risk that tumor cells will become detached. These can be transported to another location in a short time via the various blood vessels. This increases the risk of further metastases forming and cancer spreading.
