We will consider the anatomy, areas of blood drainage, and anastomoses of the subclavian vein.
The subclavian vein (v. subclavia) is paired, it is the main vein of the arm and a continuation of the axillary vein.


It begins at the level of the lateral edge of the first rib and passes in front of the anterior scalenus muscle (m. scalenus anterior) to the sternoclavicular joint, behind which it communicates with the internal jugular vein forming the brachiocephalic vein. It lies anteriorly from the subclavian artery, which passes behind the anterior scalenus muscle (m. scalenus anterior). In the area of confluence with the jugular vein, a venous angle is formed bilaterally.
The subclavian vein has a valve at its beginning and at the end.
This vein has a number of tributaries:
the internal jugular vein (v. jugularis interna)
Internal jugular vein (v. jugularis interna) the external jugular vein (v. jugularis externa)
External jugular vein (v. jugularis externa) veins of the lateral cervical region
dorsal scapular vein (v. dorsalis scapulae)
Dorsal scapular vein (v. dorsalis scapulae) the anterior jugular vein (v. jugularis anterior)

The thoracic ducts ends by the confluence of the left subclavian vein and the left internal jugular vein. Similarly, the right thoracic duct ends by the junction of the right subclavian vein and the right internal jugular vein.
Subclavian vein and its tributaries
- Subclavian vein
- v. subclavia
- Longus capitis muscle
- m. scalenus anterior
- Internal jugular Vein
- v. jugularis interna
- External jugular vein
- v. jugularis externa
- Dorsal scapular vein
- v. dorsalis scapulae
- Anterior jugular vein
- v. jugularis anterior