Ventral view, right side

Note:  this configuration occurs a little more than half the time.  Here the vertebrocostocervical trunk enters the right brachiocephalic vein.

Ventral view, right side

Note:  this configuration occurs a little less than half the time.  Here the vertebrocostocervical trunk enters the cranial vena cava directly.

Ventrolateral view, left side

Note:  on the left side the vertebrocostocervical trunk nearly always enters the left brachiocephalic vein.

This vein is formed when the vertebral and costocervical veins join.  In nearly all cats it joins the brachiocephalic vein on the left side.  In the majority of cats it joins the brachiocephalic vein on the right, but in many cats it goes directly into the cranial vena cava between the brachiocephalic and azygos veins.  Both configurations are shown above.

COPYRIGHT 2007 by William C. Johnson II
ALL RIGHTS RESERVED!