Brachiocephalic vein
Vena brachiocephalica
Definition
The brachiocephalic vein is a large-caliber venous trunk located at the thoracic inlet that drains venous blood from the head, neck, and thoracic limb into the cranial vena cava. It is paired, existing as right and left brachiocephalic veins, each primarily draining the corresponding side.
Each right and left brachiocephalic vein is generally formed by the union of the external jugular vein and the subclavian vein on the same side. Depending on the species and its degree of development, the internal jugular vein may also empty into it.
The right and left brachiocephalic veins course within the cranial mediastinum and unite to form the cranial vena cava, thereby contributing to venous return to the right atrium.
References
Illustrated Veterinary Anatomical Nomenclature - 3rd edition - Gheorghe M. Constantinescu, Oskar Schaller - Enke
