Health Dictionary
Reliable, easy-to-read patient information on common medical conditions — written in plain language, free of jargon, and grounded in current evidence. Browse the most frequent diagnoses, understand what they mean for everyday life, and learn which steps and questions help you have a focused conversation with your doctor.
Accessory cephalic vein
Introduction
The accessory cephalic vein arises either from a small tributory plexus on the back of the forearm or from the ulnar side of the dorsal venous net-work; it joins the cephalic below the elbow.
In some cases the accessory cephalic springs from the cephalic above the wrist and joins it again higher up.
A large oblique branch frequently connects the basilic and cephalic veins on the back of the forearm.
See also
Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]