Basilic vein (Vena basilica)
Educational content only — not medical advice.
Anatomy
Ascends the medial forearm and arm, diving deep mid-arm to join the deep brachial veins and form the axillary vein — the anatomical route of long PICC central lines.
Clinical notes
Lies closest to the median nerve at the elbow — errant injection numbs the forearm medial edge; right-sided PICC selection is preferred for the shorter route to the SVC.
Related structures
Educational references
FAQ
What is the role of the Basilic vein?
Ascends the medial forearm and arm, diving deep mid-arm to join the deep brachial veins and form the axillary vein — the anatomical route of long PICC central lines.
Why is the Basilic vein clinically important?
Lies closest to the median nerve at the elbow — errant injection numbs the forearm medial edge; right-sided PICC selection is preferred for the shorter route to the SVC.
Source & license
BodyParts3D, © The Database Center for Life Science licensed under CC Attribution 4.0 International (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/). license details