Dorlands/Elsevier v_05/12850633 FMA 70890 | TA A12.3.07.014 | |
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Artery Posterior intercostal arteries Latin venae intercostales posteriores |
The posterior intercostal veins are veins that drain the intercostal spaces posteriorly. They run with their corresponding posterior intercostal artery on the underside of the rib, the vein superior to the artery. Each vein also gives off a dorsal branch that drains blood from the muscles of the back.
There are eleven posterior intercostal veins on each side. Their patterns are variable, but they are commonly arranged as:
References
Posterior intercostal veins Wikipedia(Text) CC BY-SA