- The continuation of the axillary vein (1)beginning at the lower border of the 1st rib 1
- Initially arches upwards across the rib
- Once over the rib angles medially and downwards to join with the internal jugular vein behind the sternoclavicular joint (1)
- Lies beneath the clavicle for most of its course (1)
- Following the merger with the internal jugular vein continues as the brachiocephalic (innominate) vein (1) continuing towards the mediastinum:
- Not symmetrical bilaterally
- Left side arcs gently through the innominate vein to the superior vena cava whilst the right side angles sharply
- Can cause difficulty inserting right sided catheters leading to kinking or passing into the left subclavian vein
