Supreme intercostal vein

{{Short description|Vein}}

{{Infobox vein

| Name = Supreme intercostal vein

| Latin = vena intercostalis suprema

| Image = Gray530.png

| Caption = Intercostal spaces, viewed from the left. (Highest intercostal vein labeled at upper right.)

| Image2 = Gray577.png

| Caption2 = The venæ cavæ and azygos veins, with their tributaries. (Highest intercostal labeled, very faintly, written vertically, to the right of the aortic arch.)

| DrainsFrom =

| DrainsTo = Brachiocephalic vein

| Artery = Intercostal arteries

}}

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

It usually drains into the brachiocephalic vein.[http://www.instantanatomy.net/thorax/vessels/vupperintercostal.html Instant Anatomy - Thorax - Vessels - Veins - Upper intercostal] Alternatively, it drains into the superior intercostal vein, or the vertebral vein of its corresponding side.