18. The tributaries of the superior vena cava. The azygos-hemiazygos system. The
lymphatic drainage of the thoracic cavity:
Tributaries of the superior vena cava
❖ The superior vena cava is a short vein of a large diameter, 2-3 cm without valves
❖ Arises from the confluence of the right and left brachiocephalic veins at the level of the
cartilage of the first right rib
❖ Descends vertically through the superior mediastinum to empty into the right atrium at the
level of the third sternocostal joint
❖ Carries deoxygenated blood from the upper half of the body(head, neck, upper limbs, thorax
and upper part of the back)
Tributaries
❖ azygos vein
❖ small veins draining the pericardium and other mediastinal structures
+Memorix- page 294
96
, 97
lymphatic drainage of the thoracic cavity:
Tributaries of the superior vena cava
❖ The superior vena cava is a short vein of a large diameter, 2-3 cm without valves
❖ Arises from the confluence of the right and left brachiocephalic veins at the level of the
cartilage of the first right rib
❖ Descends vertically through the superior mediastinum to empty into the right atrium at the
level of the third sternocostal joint
❖ Carries deoxygenated blood from the upper half of the body(head, neck, upper limbs, thorax
and upper part of the back)
Tributaries
❖ azygos vein
❖ small veins draining the pericardium and other mediastinal structures
+Memorix- page 294
96
, 97
