Thoracoepigastric vein
Updates to Article Attributes
The thoracoepigastric vein provides a communication between the superficial epigastric vein and the lateral thoracic vein as it ascends superficially on the anterolateral chest and abdominal wall. It, therefore, drains into both the superior vena cava via the axillary vein and the inferior vena cava (IVC) via the femoral vein. It is often present in healthy individuals and in others may only become present in the setting of altered venous flow.
Related pathology
In the event of IVC obstruction, the thoracoepigastric vein can provide a collateral circuit to venous flow. Similarly, during portal hypertension, the paraumbilical veins may communicate with the thoracoepigastric vein thus providing a portosystemic circuit.
Inflammation of the thoracoepigastric vein and surrounding veins is known as Mondor disease.
-<p>The <strong>thoracoepigastric vein</strong> provides a communication between the <a title="superficial epigastric vein" href="/articles/superficial-epigastric-vein">superficial epigastric vein</a> and the <a title="lateral thoracic vein" href="/articles/lateral-thoracic-vein">lateral thoracic vein</a> as it ascends superficially on anterolateral chest and abdominal wall. It, therefore, drains into both the <a title="Superior vena cava" href="/articles/superior-vena-cava">superior vena cava</a> via the <a title="Axillary vein" href="/articles/axillary-vein-1">axillary vein</a> and the <a title="Inferior vena cava" href="/articles/inferior-vena-cava-1">inferior vena cava</a> (IVC) via the <a title="Femoral vein" href="/articles/femoral-vein">femoral vein</a>. It is often present in healthy individuals and in others may only become present in the setting of altered venous flow.</p><h4>Related pathology</h4><p>In the event of IVC obstruction, the thoracoepigastric vein can provide a collateral circuit to venous flow. Similarly, during <a title="Portal hypertension" href="/articles/portal-hypertension">portal hypertension</a>, the <a title="paraumbilical vein" href="/articles/paraumbilical-vein">paraumbilical veins</a> may communicate with the thoracoepigastric vein thus providing a <a title="Portosystemic collateral pathways" href="/articles/portosystemic-collateral-pathways-1">portosystemic circuit</a>.</p><p>Inflammation of the thoracoepigastric vein and surrounding veins is known as <a href="/articles/mondor-disease">Mondor disease</a>.</p>- +<p>The <strong>thoracoepigastric vein</strong> provides a communication between the <a href="/articles/superficial-epigastric-vein">superficial epigastric vein</a> and the <a href="/articles/lateral-thoracic-vein">lateral thoracic vein</a> as it ascends superficially on the anterolateral chest and abdominal wall. It, therefore, drains into both the <a href="/articles/superior-vena-cava">superior vena cava</a> via the <a href="/articles/axillary-vein-1">axillary vein</a> and the <a href="/articles/inferior-vena-cava-1">inferior vena cava</a> (IVC) via the <a href="/articles/femoral-vein">femoral vein</a>. It is often present in healthy individuals and in others may only become present in the setting of altered venous flow.</p><h4>Related pathology</h4><p>In the event of IVC obstruction, the thoracoepigastric vein can provide a collateral circuit to venous flow. Similarly, during <a href="/articles/portal-hypertension">portal hypertension</a>, the <a href="/articles/paraumbilical-vein">paraumbilical veins</a> may communicate with the thoracoepigastric vein thus providing a <a href="/articles/portosystemic-collateral-pathways-1">portosystemic circuit</a>.</p><p>Inflammation of the thoracoepigastric vein and surrounding veins is known as <a href="/articles/mondor-disease">Mondor disease</a>.</p>
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