brachiocephalic vein

{{Short description|Vein}}

{{Infobox Vein

| Name = Brachiocephalic vein

| Latin = vena brachiocephalica
vena anonyma

| Image = Gray1174.png

| Caption = The thyroid gland and its relations. (Label for "Right innom. vein" and "Left innom. vein" visible at bottom center.)

| Image2 = Gray505.png

| Caption2 = The arch of the aorta, and its branches. (Right innom. vein labeled at upper right; left innominate vein labeled at center top.)

| Source = Internal jugular
subclavian
superior intercostal
vertebral
inferior thyroid

| DrainsTo = Superior vena cava

| Artery = Brachiocephalic artery

}}

The left and right brachiocephalic veins (previously called innominate veins) are major veins in the upper chest, formed by the union of the ipsilateral internal jugular vein and subclavian vein (the so-called venous angle){{cite book |last1=Moore |first1=Keith L. |title=Clinically oriented anatomy |date=2018 |location=Philadelphia |isbn=9781496347213 |page=1004 |edition=Eighth}} behind the sternoclavicular joint.{{Cite book |last=Sinnatamby |first=Chummy S. |title=Last's Anatomy |publisher= Elsevier Australia|year=2011 |isbn=978-0-7295-3752-0 |edition=12th |pages=193}} The left brachiocephalic vein is more than twice the length of the right brachiocephalic vein.{{cite book |title=Gray's anatomy : the anatomical basis of clinical practice |date=2016 |isbn=978-0-7020-5230-9 |edition=Forty-first |location=[Philadelphia] |page=1027 |last1=Standring |first1=Susan }}

These veins merge to form the superior vena cava, a great vessel, posterior to the junction of the first costal cartilage with the manubrium of the sternum.

The brachiocephalic veins are the major veins returning blood to the superior vena cava.