Axillary vein

Vena axillaris

CardiovascularBlood vesselsThoraxLeft and right

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What it is
Formed at the lower border of teres major by the basilic vein joining the brachial veins; it ascends through the axilla on the medial side of the axillary artery and becomes the subclavian vein at the outer border of the first rib.
Function
Drains the whole upper limb and part of the chest wall, receiving the cephalic vein.
Size
~1–1.5 cm diameter.
Clinical note
Lymph nodes cluster along it, so it is carefully dissected during axillary clearance for breast cancer.

Nearby cardiovascular structures Axillary artery, Brachiocephalic trunk, Left pulmonary artery, Left subclavian artery, Left superior pulmonary vein, Right brachiocephalic vein, Right pulmonary artery, Right subclavian artery, Subclavian vein, Superior vena cava