Vol 67, No 1 (2008)
Original article
Submitted: 2012-02-06
Published online: 2007-12-03
The clinical anatomy of the cephalic vein in the deltopectoral triangle
M. Loukas, C.S. Myers, Ch.T. Wartmann, R.S. Tubbs, T. Judge, B. Curry, R. Jordan
Folia Morphol 2008;67(1):72-77.
Vol 67, No 1 (2008)
ORIGINAL ARTICLES
Submitted: 2012-02-06
Published online: 2007-12-03
Abstract
Identification and recognition of the cephalic vein in the deltopectoral triangle
is of critical importance when considering emergency catheterization procedures.
The aim of our study was to conduct a cadaveric study to access data
regarding the topography and the distribution patterns of the cephalic vein as
it relates to the deltopectoral triangle. One hundred formalin fixed cadavers
were examined. The cephalic vein was found in 95% (190 right and left) specimens,
while in the remaining 5% (10) the cephalic vein was absent. In 80%
(152) of cases the cephalic vein was found emerging superficially in the lateral
portion of the deltopectoral triangle. In 30% (52) of these 152 cases the cephalic
vein received one tributary within the deltopectoral triangle, while in 70%
(100) of the specimens it received two. In the remaining 20% (38) of cases the
cephalic vein was located deep to the deltopectoral fascia and fat and did not
emerge through the deltopectoral triangle but was identified medially to the
coracobrachialis and inferior to the medial border of the deltoid. In addition,
in 4 (0.2%) of the specimens the cephalic vein, after crossing the deltopectoral
triangle, ascended anterior and superior to the clavicle to drain into the subclavian
vein. In these specimens a collateral branch was observed to communicate
between the cephalic and external jugular veins. In 65.2% (124) of the cases
the cephalic vein traveled with the deltoid branch of the thoracoacromial trunk.
The length of the cephalic vein within the deltopectoral triangle ranged from
3.5 cm to 8.2 cm with a mean of 4.8 ± 0.7 cm. The morphometric analysis
revealed a mean cephalic vein diameter of 0.8 ± 0.1 cm with a range of 0.1 cm
to 1.2 cm. The cephalic vein is relatively large and constant, usually allowing
for easy cannulation.
(Folia Morphol 2008; 67: 72-77)
Abstract
Identification and recognition of the cephalic vein in the deltopectoral triangle
is of critical importance when considering emergency catheterization procedures.
The aim of our study was to conduct a cadaveric study to access data
regarding the topography and the distribution patterns of the cephalic vein as
it relates to the deltopectoral triangle. One hundred formalin fixed cadavers
were examined. The cephalic vein was found in 95% (190 right and left) specimens,
while in the remaining 5% (10) the cephalic vein was absent. In 80%
(152) of cases the cephalic vein was found emerging superficially in the lateral
portion of the deltopectoral triangle. In 30% (52) of these 152 cases the cephalic
vein received one tributary within the deltopectoral triangle, while in 70%
(100) of the specimens it received two. In the remaining 20% (38) of cases the
cephalic vein was located deep to the deltopectoral fascia and fat and did not
emerge through the deltopectoral triangle but was identified medially to the
coracobrachialis and inferior to the medial border of the deltoid. In addition,
in 4 (0.2%) of the specimens the cephalic vein, after crossing the deltopectoral
triangle, ascended anterior and superior to the clavicle to drain into the subclavian
vein. In these specimens a collateral branch was observed to communicate
between the cephalic and external jugular veins. In 65.2% (124) of the cases
the cephalic vein traveled with the deltoid branch of the thoracoacromial trunk.
The length of the cephalic vein within the deltopectoral triangle ranged from
3.5 cm to 8.2 cm with a mean of 4.8 ± 0.7 cm. The morphometric analysis
revealed a mean cephalic vein diameter of 0.8 ± 0.1 cm with a range of 0.1 cm
to 1.2 cm. The cephalic vein is relatively large and constant, usually allowing
for easy cannulation.
(Folia Morphol 2008; 67: 72-77)
Keywords
cephalic vein; subclavian vein; axillary vein; deltopectoral triangle
Title
The clinical anatomy of the cephalic vein in the deltopectoral triangle
Journal
Folia Morphologica
Issue
Vol 67, No 1 (2008)
Article type
Original article
Pages
72-77
Published online
2007-12-03
Page views
964
Article views/downloads
7120
Bibliographic record
Folia Morphol 2008;67(1):72-77.
Keywords
cephalic vein
subclavian vein
axillary vein
deltopectoral triangle
Authors
M. Loukas
C.S. Myers
Ch.T. Wartmann
R.S. Tubbs
T. Judge
B. Curry
R. Jordan