In human anatomy, the median cubital vein (or median basilic vein) is a superficial vein of the arm on the anterior aspect of the elbow. It classically shunts blood from the cephalic to the basilic vein at the roof of the cubital fossa. It is typically the most prominent superficial vein in the human body, and is visible when all other veins are hidden by fat or collapsed during a shock.
It arises from the cephalic vein 2.5 cm (one inch) below the lateral epicondyle of the humerus, runs obliquely upward and medially, and empties into the basilic vein 2.5 cm (one inch) above the medial epicondyle.
Structure
The median cubital vein is a superficial vein of the arm. It lies on the anterior aspect of the elbow, in the cubital fossa superficial to the bicipital aponeurosis. It bridges the cephalic vein and the basilic vein.
The median cubital vein receives a number of tributaries from the anterior forearm. The median antebrachial vein may or may not drain into the median cubital vein. When the median cubital vein is large, it transfers most or all blood from the cephalic vein to the basilic vein, so that the cephalic vein is either significantly diminished or altogether absent. This is due to its particularly wide lumen, and its tendency to remain stationary upon needle insertion. Such pressure is created using a tourniquet.