Vein Intercostal Upper Left

The upper left intercostal vein (lat. vena intercostalis sinistra superior) is the left upper intercostal vein, which is located on the anterior surface of the chest. It is a branch of the internal mammary vein, passes through the intercostal spaces and flows into the superior vena cava.

The left superior intercostal vein is formed by the confluence of several lateral branches of the internal mammary veins. It runs along the left edge of the sternum and costal margin, where it connects with other veins such as the posterior intercostal vein and the vein connecting the jugular vein and azygos vein. It then rises up the anterior surface of the chest and flows into the internal mammary vein.

“Superior left intercostal vein” (v.intercostalis sinistra superior): anatomical and clinical features.

This vein is located in the upper corner of the left rib, the upper branch of which ends at the level of the upper edge or angle of the scapula, and the lower one - in the ridge between the upper and middle third **of the body of the left scapula**. It transports oxygen to the lungs, saturates the lungs with arterial blood, forming an angle with the interventricular branch of the pulmonary artery.

The superior interthoracic vein connects the intercostal superior left vein with other small veins of the base and neck. It communicates with the ascending superior (or right) intercostal vein, which emerges from the first intercostal space through the superior lymphatic fissure, where the prevertebral lymph node is located. In the mediastinum it connects with the great vein of the forearm. The inferior interthoracic artery also emerges from the transverse cervical canal near the foramen venosus.

**Clinical significance**: > - Impaired venous drainage can cause congestion in the pulmonary circulation (for example, insufficiency of the valve apparatus of the superior vena cava or pulmonary valve