Position of valves within the subclavian and axillary veins.

BACKGROUND: The aim of this explorative morphologic study was to determine the position and frequency of the valves in the axillary and subclavian veins. METHODS: The position and frequency of the valves in the subclavian and axillary veins were studied macroscopically in 59 limbs from 30 cadavers. We measured in situ with a measuring tape, starting from the venous angle toward the initiation of the axillary vein. All cadavers were bequeathed by informed consent. RESULTS: A terminal valve existed in all subclavian veins within the range of 0.0 to 27.5 mm (mean: left, 13.87 mm; right, 9.78 mm) distally to the venous angle; a second valve existed in one left and one right subclavian vein at a distance of 30.0 and 30.5 mm, respectively. All left axillary veins had a "most proximal" valve (mean, 103.4 mm), 73.3% also possessed a second valve (mean, 140.48 mm), and 16.7% had a third valve (mean, 153.9 mm). All right axillary veins possessed at least one valve (mean, 100.07 mm), 75.86% had a second valve (mean, 134.55 mm), 34.48% also had a third valve (mean, 157.30 mm), and 10.3% had a fourth valve (mean, 140.0 mm). CONCLUSIONS: All of the axillary and subclavian veins in our specimens possessed at least one valve. All the valves in the subclavian veins were concentrated to the proximal half, resulting in a valveless distal half. The subclavian vein rarely had a second valve. The valves in the axillary veins were located in the distal half, resulting in a valveless proximal half. The axillary vein can have one to four valves. No relation was evident between the frequency of the valves and the age of the donors when they died. Many other factors may influence the frequency of the valves in the axillary vein.