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Published on: December 23, 2014
Position of valves within the subclavian and axillary veins
1Division of Clinical and Functional Anatomy, Department of Anatomy, Histology and Embryology, Innsbruck Medical University, Innsbruck, Austria.
Insights
This study found that all axillary and subclavian veins have valves, with specific locations and frequencies in each. Subclavian valves are proximal, while axillary valves are distal, varying in number.
Area of Science:
- Anatomy
- Morphology
- Vascular Biology
Background:
- Investigated the anatomical variations of venous valves in the upper limb.
- Focused on the axillary and subclavian veins, crucial for venous return from the arm.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine the precise location and frequency of valves within the axillary and subclavian veins.
- To provide detailed morphologic data on upper limb venous valves.
Main Methods:
- Macroscopic examination of 59 limbs from 30 human cadavers.
- In situ measurements from the venous angle to axillary vein initiation.
Main Results:
- All subclavian veins had a proximal valve; a second valve was rare.
- Axillary veins consistently showed valves, with 1-4 valves observed.
- Valves in subclavian veins were concentrated proximally, while axillary vein valves were distal.
Conclusions:
- Confirmed the universal presence of valves in axillary and subclavian veins.
- Highlighted distinct patterns of valve distribution: proximal in subclavian, distal in axillary veins.
- Suggested other factors may influence axillary vein valve frequency beyond age.
Background:
The aim of this explorative morphologic study was to determine the position and frequency of the valves in the axillary and subclavian veins.
Methods:
The position and frequency of the valves in the subclavian and axillary veins were studied macroscopically in 59 limbs from 30 cadavers. We measured in situ with a measuring tape, starting from the venous angle toward the initiation of the axillary vein. All cadavers were bequeathed by informed consent.
Results:
A terminal valve existed in all subclavian veins within the range of 0.0 to 27.5 mm (mean: left, 13.87 mm; right, 9.78 mm) distally to the venous angle; a second valve existed in one left and one right subclavian vein at a distance of 30.0 and 30.5 mm, respectively. All left axillary veins had a "most proximal" valve (mean, 103.4 mm), 73.3% also possessed a second valve (mean, 140.48 mm), and 16.7% had a third valve (mean, 153.9 mm). All right axillary veins possessed at least one valve (mean, 100.07 mm), 75.86% had a second valve (mean, 134.55 mm), 34.48% also had a third valve (mean, 157.30 mm), and 10.3% had a fourth valve (mean, 140.0 mm).
Conclusions:
All of the axillary and subclavian veins in our specimens possessed at least one valve. All the valves in the subclavian veins were concentrated to the proximal half, resulting in a valveless distal half. The subclavian vein rarely had a second valve. The valves in the axillary veins were located in the distal half, resulting in a valveless proximal half. The axillary vein can have one to four valves. No relation was evident between the frequency of the valves and the age of the donors when they died. Many other factors may influence the frequency of the valves in the axillary vein.
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