Posterior intercostal veins
Posterior Intercostal Veins are a group of veins that drain the intercostal space, the space between the ribs in the human body. They are part of the venous system and play a crucial role in the circulation of blood.
Etymology[edit | edit source]
The term "Posterior Intercostal Veins" is derived from the Latin words 'posterior' meaning 'behind', 'inter' meaning 'between', and 'costa' meaning 'rib'. Thus, the term refers to the veins that are located behind the spaces between the ribs.
Anatomy[edit | edit source]
The Posterior Intercostal Veins are located in the thoracic cavity, specifically in the spaces between the ribs. They are paired veins, with one vein present on either side of the rib space. These veins drain the blood from the intercostal muscles and surrounding areas and carry it back to the heart.
The Posterior Intercostal Veins are connected to the azygos vein on the right side and the hemiazygos vein and accessory hemiazygos vein on the left side. These veins eventually drain into the superior vena cava, which carries the blood back to the heart.
Function[edit | edit source]
The primary function of the Posterior Intercostal Veins is to drain the blood from the intercostal muscles and surrounding areas. They carry deoxygenated blood, which has been used by the muscles for their metabolic activities, back to the heart. This blood is then sent to the lungs for oxygenation before being circulated to the rest of the body.
Clinical Significance[edit | edit source]
Abnormalities or damage to the Posterior Intercostal Veins can lead to various medical conditions. For instance, blockage of these veins can cause intercostal vein thrombosis, a condition characterized by the formation of a blood clot in the veins. This can lead to pain, swelling, and potentially serious complications if the clot travels to the lungs.
Related Terms[edit | edit source]
| Posterior intercostal veins Resources | |
|---|---|
|
 |
Search WikiMD
Ad.Tired of being Overweight? Try W8MD's physician weight loss program.
Semaglutide (Ozempic / Wegovy and Tirzepatide (Mounjaro / Zepbound) available.
Advertise on WikiMD
|
WikiMD's Wellness Encyclopedia |
| Let Food Be Thy Medicine Medicine Thy Food - Hippocrates |
Translate this page: - East Asian
中文,
日本,
한국어,
South Asian
हिन्दी,
தமிழ்,
తెలుగు,
Urdu,
ಕನ್ನಡ,
Southeast Asian
Indonesian,
Vietnamese,
Thai,
မြန်မာဘာသာ,
বাংলা
European
español,
Deutsch,
français,
Greek,
português do Brasil,
polski,
română,
русский,
Nederlands,
norsk,
svenska,
suomi,
Italian
Middle Eastern & African
عربى,
Turkish,
Persian,
Hebrew,
Afrikaans,
isiZulu,
Kiswahili,
Other
Bulgarian,
Hungarian,
Czech,
Swedish,
മലയാളം,
मराठी,
ਪੰਜਾਬੀ,
ગુજરાતી,
Portuguese,
Ukrainian
Medical Disclaimer: WikiMD is not a substitute for professional medical advice. The information on WikiMD is provided as an information resource only, may be incorrect, outdated or misleading, and is not to be used or relied on for any diagnostic or treatment purposes. Please consult your health care provider before making any healthcare decisions or for guidance about a specific medical condition. WikiMD expressly disclaims responsibility, and shall have no liability, for any damages, loss, injury, or liability whatsoever suffered as a result of your reliance on the information contained in this site. By visiting this site you agree to the foregoing terms and conditions, which may from time to time be changed or supplemented by WikiMD. If you do not agree to the foregoing terms and conditions, you should not enter or use this site. See full disclaimer.
Credits:Most images are courtesy of Wikimedia commons, and templates Wikipedia, licensed under CC BY SA or similar.
Contributors: Prab R. Tumpati, MD
