The axillary vein has the same extent as the axillary artery. It begins at the lower border as the teres major as the continuation of the basilic vein, and it becomes the subclavian vein at the outer margin of the first rib. It lies along the medial side of the axillary artery, overlapping it anteriorly; and as the arm is abducted from the side the vein passes more and more in front of the artery.

 

At the lower margin of the subscapularis, it receives the two venae comitantes of the brachial artery; and above the level of the pectoralis minor it is joined by the cephalic vein.