The descending intercepting trunk for the upper, often the fourth through the eighth, left posterior intercostal veins: The accessory hemiazygos vein lies on the left side, and at the eighth thoracic vertebra it joins the hemiazygos vein, or crosses to the right side to join the azygos vein directly.

Paired, vertical vein of the posterior abdominal wall, adjacent and parallel to the vertebral column, posterior to the origin of the psoas major muscle (bodies of vertebrae and intervertebral disks from the twelfth thoracic to the fifth lumbar); it connects the common iliac (dorsal bone of the pelvis), iliolumbar, and lumbar veins in the paravertebral line, the right vein joining the right subcostal vein to form the azygos vein, the left vein uniting with the left subcostal (below the ribs); vein to form the hemiazygos vein (merger of the left ascending lumbar vein with the left subcostal vein).

The large vein passing through the armpit which is continuous with the basilica vein (below) and the subclavian vein (above): The axillary veins supply both sides of the body's three muscles; deltoid (a muscle of the shoulder), trees minor (one of the rotator cuff muscles) and the long head of the triceps brachia (an elbow extensor).

One of a system of veins, also termed "vena azygos", that drain the thoracic and abdominal walls which goes up from the right curving upward lumbar vein or the vena cava (large vein which returns blood to the heart), enters the thorax through the aortic orifice (largest artery) in the diaphragm, and terminates or ends in the superior vena cava (major blood vessel that returns blood from the head, neck, upper extremities and chest and feeds into the right atrium or chamber of the heart which pumps blood into the right ventricle for ejection into the pulmonary or lung circulation).

An intercepting trunk for the lower left posterior intercostal veins: The hemiazygos vein arises from the ascending lumbar vein, passes up on the left side of the vertebrae to the eighth thoracic vertebra, where it may receive the accessory branch, and crosses over the vertebral column to open into the azygos vein.

Accompanying the artery of the same name, anastomosing (joining two tubular organs) with the lumbar and deep circumflex iliac veins, and emptying into the internal iliac vein (one of three veins draining the pelvic area).

A clinical indicator of obstruction to the return of blood to the right atrium because of congestive heart failure or a space-occupying lesion (injury) in the anterior thorax.

1. Veins in the neck that return blood from the head.
2. Relating to, or located in the region of the neck or throat; especially, two pairs of large veins, internal and external, that return blood to the heart from the head and neck..
3. Pertaining to any of certain large veins of the neck; especially one (external jugular vein) collecting blood from the superficial parts of the head or one (internal jugular vein) collecting blood from within the skull.
4. A large vein on the bottom surface of the neck that may be used to collect blood samples or to place catheters (thin flexible tubes which can be inserted into the body to permit the introduction or the withdrawal of fluids or to keep passageways open).
5. The most important or vulnerable part of something.
6. Etymology: from Modern Latin jugularis, from Latin jugulum, "collarbone, throat, neck"; diminutive (small version) of jugum, "yoke"; related to iungere, "to join".

An enlarged, twisted superficial vein.

This condition may occur in almost any part of the body, but it is most common in the lower extremities and in the esophagus.

It shows up as pain in the feet and ankles, swelling, and ulcers on the skin characterize this condition. Severe bleeding occurs if the vein is injured.

The condition is caused by incompetent venous valves that may be acquired or congenital. The development of varicose veins is promoted and aggravated by pregnancy, obesity, and occupations that require prolonged standing.

Esophageal varices are caused by portal hypertension that accompanies cirrhosis (abnormal liver condition characterized by irreversible scarring) of the liver.

More about Varicose Veins

Varicose veins are dilated tortuous (with many turns or bends) veins occurring in about fifteen per cent of adults; women more than men.

They most commonly occur in the legs, but they may also occur in the anal canal (hemorrhoids) and in the esophagus (as a result of a liver disease).

This flow, back towards the heart, is aided by valves within the veins. When these valves fail, increased pressure is exerted on the blood vessels leading to dilatations (dilated or stretched beyond normal dimensions) known as varicose veins.

Veins that drain the gluteal muscles on either side of the body.

Veins that drain the posterior body wall and the lumbar vertebral venous plexuses.