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.
Peripheral vein
Introduction
Overview
Overview
Peripheral Veins are the veins not in the chest or abdomen (i.e. in the arms, hands, legs and feet). These veins lead deoxygenated blood from the capillaries in the extremities back to the heart.
These veins are the most common intravenous access method in both hospitals and paramedic services for a peripheral intravenous (IV) line for intravenous therapy.
Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]