What is "thoracoepigastric vein"

n. a vein arising from the region of the superficial epigastric vein and opening into the axillary vein or thoracic vein [syn: vena thoracoepigastrica]

The thoracoepigastric vein runs along the lateral aspect of the trunk between the superficial epigastric vein below and the lateral thoracic vein above and establishes an important communication between the femoral vein and axillary vein. This is an especially important vein when the inferior vena cava (IVC) becomes obstructed, by providing a means of collateral venous return. It creates a cavocaval anastomosis by connecting with superficial epigastric veins arising from femoral vein just below inguinal ligament.