human anatomy The human body is the structure of a human being. It is composed of many different types of cells that together create tissues and subsequently organ systems. They ensure homeostasis and the viability of the human body. It comprises a he ...

, the internal thoracic vein (previously known as the internal mammary vein) is a vessel that drains the

chest wall The thoracic wall or chest wall is the boundary of the thoracic cavity. Structure The bone, bony human skeleton, skeletal part of the thoracic wall is the rib cage, and the rest is made up of muscle, skin, and fasciae. The chest wall has 10 lay ...

and

breasts The breast is one of two prominences located on the upper ventral region of a primate's torso. Both females and males develop breasts from the same embryological tissues. In females, it serves as the mammary gland, which produces and secret ...

Structure

Bilaterally, the internal thoracic vein arises from the

superior epigastric vein In human anatomy, superior epigastric veins are two or more venae comitantes which accompany either superior epigastric artery before emptying into the internal thoracic vein. They participate in the drainage of the superior surface of the di ...

, and accompanies the

internal thoracic artery In human anatomy, the internal thoracic artery (ITA), previously commonly known as the internal mammary artery (a name still common among surgeons), is an artery that supplies the anterior chest wall and the breasts. It is a paired artery, with on ...

along its course. It drains the

intercostal veins The intercostal veins are a group of veins which drain the area between the ribs ("costae"), called the intercostal space. They can be divided as follows: * Anterior intercostal veins * Posterior intercostal veins ** Posterior intercost vein that ...

, although the posterior drainage is often handled by the azygous veins. It terminates in the

brachiocephalic vein The left and right brachiocephalic veins (previously called innominate veins) are major veins in the upper chest, formed by the union of each corresponding internal jugular vein and subclavian vein. This is at the level of the sternoclavicular j ...

. It has a width of 2-3 mm. There is either one or two internal thoracic veins accompanying the corresponding artery (

). If internal thoracic vein is single, it usually runs medial to the artery. If there are double thoracic veins, they run on either side of the internal thoracic artery.

Variations

Bifurcation of each internal thoracic vein is common. The left internal thoracic vein may bifurcate between ribs 3-4 or remain as a single vein. The right internal thoracic vein may bifurcate between ribs 2-4 or remain as a single vein.

Function

The internal thoracic vein drains the

and the

Clinical significance

Knowledge on the course of internal thoracic vein and artery is important during interventional procedures through the anterior chest wall such as biopsy and

empyema An empyema () is a collection or gathering of pus within a naturally existing anatomical cavity. For example, pleural empyema is empyema of the pleural cavity. It must be differentiated from an abscess, which is a collection of pus in a newly forme ...

drainage. This is to avoid puncturing the vessels and cause massive bleeding. Accidental placement of

central venous catheter A central venous catheter (CVC), also known as a central line(c-line), central venous line, or central venous access catheter, is a catheter placed into a large vein. It is a form of venous access. Placement of larger catheters in more central ...

in the internal thoracic vein can cause pleural effusions, chest wall abscess, pulmonary edema, shortness of breath and chest pain.

Other animals

Internal thoracic vein runs just lateral to the

sternum The sternum or breastbone is a long flat bone located in the central part of the chest. It connects to the ribs via cartilage and forms the front of the rib cage, thus helping to protect the heart, lungs, and major blood vessels from injury. Sh ...

. The internal thoracic vein can act as a collateral circulation for blood from the

inferior vena cava The inferior vena cava is a large vein that carries the deoxygenated blood from the lower and middle body into the right atrium of the heart. It is formed by the joining of the right and the left common iliac veins, usually at the level of the ...

to the

superior vena cava The superior vena cava (SVC) is the superior of the two venae cavae, the great venous trunks that return deoxygenated blood from the systemic circulation to the right atrium of the heart. It is a large-diameter (24 mm) short length vein th ...

. This can work in either direction. It may partially compensate for disturbances to blood flow.

Additional images

File:Gray503.png, Transverse section of thorax, showing relations of pulmonary artery.

References

External links

Internal thoracic vein
- thefreedictionary.com {{Authority control Veins of the torso