The subcostal vein is a
vein
Veins are blood vessels in humans and most other animals that carry blood towards the heart. Most veins carry deoxygenated blood from the tissues back to the heart; exceptions are the pulmonary and umbilical veins, both of which carry oxygenate ...
in the human body that runs along the bottom of the
twelfth rib
The rib cage, as an enclosure that comprises the ribs, vertebral column and sternum in the thorax of most vertebrates, protects vital organs such as the heart, lungs and great vessels.
The sternum, together known as the thoracic cage, is a semi-r ...
. It has the same essential qualities as the
posterior intercostal veins
The posterior intercostal veins are veins that drain the intercostal spaces posteriorly. They run with their corresponding posterior intercostal artery on the underside of the rib, the vein superior to the artery. Each vein also gives off a do ...
, except that it cannot be considered ''intercostal'' because it is not between two ribs.
Each subcostal vein gives off a posterior (dorsal) branch which has a similar distribution to the posterior ramus of an intercostal artery.
See also
*
Subcostal nerve
The subcostal nerve (anterior division of the twelfth thoracic nerve) is larger than the others. It runs along the lower border of the twelfth rib, often gives a communicating branch to the first lumbar nerve, and passes under the lateral lumboco ...
*
Subcostal artery
The subcostal arteries, so named because they lie below the last ribs, constitute the lowest pair of branches derived from the thoracic aorta, and are in series with the intercostal arteries.
Each passes along the lower border of the twelfth rib b ...
External links
* http://www.instantanatomy.net/thorax/vessels/vinsuperiormediastinum.html
Veins of the torso
{{circulatory-stub