What does the brachial vein drain blood from?

The brachial vein is responsible for draining blood from the radial and ulnar veins, which are the principal veins of the forearm. The radial vein runs alongside the radial artery, draining the lateral aspect of the forearm, while the ulnar vein parallels the ulnar artery and drains the medial aspect. Together, these veins collect deoxygenated blood from the forearm and, subsequently, the brachial vein transports this blood back toward the heart.

This anatomical relationship is important for understanding venous drainage in the upper limb. The brachial vein emerges in the upper arm, where the forearm blood supply converges, and ultimately it contributes to the formation of the axillary vein as it continues toward the shoulder region. The recognition of how blood drains from the radial and ulnar veins into the brachial vein is essential in interventional radiology practices, particularly when considering vascular access and manipulation in the upper extremity.