Context: Superficial veins of upper limbs play an important role in vascular surgeries and in diagnostic and therapeutic procedures. These veins are clinically important for venipuncture, transfusion and cardiac catheterization. Aim: To study variations in the superficial veins of cadavers of human upper limbs. Settings and design: Institution based cross sectional study was carried out at Anatomy Department, JN Medical College, Belgaum. Methods: The findings observed among 25 cadavers were site of origin of the vein, course of the vein, termination of the vein, variations of the vein and length of the vein. Appropriate procedures were followed and due respect was given to all cadavers. Statistical analysis: The data analyzed using mean, standard deviations. Students t test was used to test the differences in the mean values. Results: Average length of veins in left upper limbs of female and male cadavers for cephalic was 52.7 and 50.9 cm, basilic vein 51.1 and 49.8 cm, median cubital vein 8.9 and 9.4 cm and median vein of forearm 13.9 and 17.4 cm respectively. Average length of veins in right upper limbs of female and male cadavers for cephalic was 53.9 and 52.1 cm, basilic vein 48.7 and 49.6 cm, median cubital vein 8.6 and 9.8 cm and median vein of forearm 18.2 and 17.4 cm respectively. All these differences were statistically not significant. Conclusion: Mean length veins in right and left upper limbs were similar for both males and females. Type III Dorsal venous pattern was the most commonly seen and all cases were seen only in males.

Keywords: variations, superficial veins, cadavers, human, upper limbs