Supreme intercostal vein

The supreme intercostal vein (highest intercostal vein) is a paired vein that drains the first intercostal space on its corresponding side.

Supreme intercostal vein
Intercostal spaces, viewed from the left. (Highest intercostal vein labeled at upper right.)
The venæ cavæ and azygos veins, with their tributaries. (Highest intercostal labeled, very faintly, written vertically, to the right of the aortic arch.)
Details
Drains to	Brachiocephalic vein
Artery	Intercostal arteries
Identifiers
Latin	vena intercostalis suprema
TA98	A12.3.04.023
TA2	4791
FMA	4744
Anatomical terminology

It usually drains into the brachiocephalic vein. Alternatively, it drains into the superior intercostal vein, or the vertebral vein of its corresponding side.

Clinical significance

This vein does not have valves, this is an important point when it comes to spread of cancerous secondaries.

Additional images

• 
  Diagram showing completion of development of the parietal veins.

See also

• superior intercostal vein
• posterior intercostal vein
• azygos vein