Let's simply learn about the vein in our chest called the Internal Thoracic Vein!

Our body is a very amazing machine, isn't it? Inside this machine, there are many small parts that we don't know about, but they do a very important job. So, today we are going to talk about a very important vein hidden inside our chest. Maybe you haven't even heard of this name before. That is the vein called Internal Thoracic Vein.

Simply put, what is this Internal Thoracic Vein?

Think of the blood vessel system in our body as a network of roads. Some of these roads are like big highways, while others are like small village roads. So this Internal Thoracic Vein is also an important pair of veins in our chest area. There are two of these, one on the right side of our body and one on the left side.

The main function of these veins is to collect impure blood, that is, blood with low oxygen levels, from the tissues of our chest wall and breasts and return it to the heart. These veins then return the collected blood to the heart to be purified.

Let's briefly remind ourselves of the difference between veins and arteries.

To understand our circulatory system, it is very important to have a little understanding of veins and arteries.

• Arteries: These are the large veins that carry clean, oxygenated and nutrient-rich blood from the heart to all parts of the body. Much like the large pipes that carry water from the city's main tank to homes.
• Veins: These are the veins that carry oxygen-depleted, impure blood back to the heart, along with waste products and carbon dioxide, left over from the work of various parts of the body. Just like the drainage system that collects dirty water from houses.

So, the Internal Thoracic Vein that we are talking about today is also a very important part of the venous system.

Where is this vein located? How does it work?

This vein is located inside our chest, very close to the sternum. It is not alone, but an artery called the Internal Thoracic Artery also runs alongside this vein.

Now let's see how this works. Imagine that small streams join together to form a small stream, and many such streams join together to form a large river. The blood circulation in our body is similar.

1. First step: Impure blood collects in the cartilage between our ribs and in small veins (like the intercostal veins) that come from the inner tissues of the chest.

2. Step 2: All the blood collected from these small veins comes and joins the Internal Thoracic Vein that we are talking about. These small veins are like "branches" that join a large vein.

3. Step Three: Then, the Internal Thoracic Vein takes all this collected blood and empties it into a larger vein called the brachiocephalic vein .

4. Final step: Finally, the blood from this brachiocephalic vein joins the Superior Vena Cava , the main vein that carries blood from our upper body, and from there it goes to the right atrium of the heart (right side of your heart). It is then sent to the lungs where it is oxygenated and purified again.

What does this vein look and shape like?

This vein is usually about 2-3 millimeters in diameter. That's about the size of a colored pencil tip . But the strange thing is, the shape of this vein is not the same for everyone.

• In some people, the Internal Thoracic Vein on the left side divides into two between the third and fourth ribs.
• While some people have a single vein on their right side, in others it may split between the second and fourth ribs.

These kinds of changes are normal, it's not a disease.

Like other veins, the wall of this vein is made up of three main layers:

• Innermost layer: Made up of cells that release chemicals that help the vein contract and dilate.
• Middle layer: Made up of smooth muscle. This gives the vein its flexibility.
• Outermost layer:They are made up of connective tissues such as collagen and elastin. This gives the vein its strength and elasticity.

What health problems can affect this vein?

Because this vein is located deep within the chest, it can be damaged in some situations. Let's look at what those situations are.

What are the symptoms of Thoracic Outlet Syndrome?

If this happens, you may experience symptoms like these:

• Excessive fatigue in the hands.
• Swelling of the hands, palms, or fingers.
• Weakness in the arms or neck.

If you have symptoms like these, it is very important to definitely see your doctor for advice.

How does a doctor find out if there is a problem?

If you have symptoms similar to Thoracic Outlet Syndrome, or suspect another blood circulation problem, your doctor may recommend some tests, such as:

• Chest X-rayA test.
• A CT scan .
• MRI scan (MRI) test.
• Special tests, such as arteriogram or venogram , involve injecting a special dye into the veins and using X-rays to examine how the blood flows.

Only after these tests can the doctor get an accurate idea of ​​the condition of your veins.

What are you doing as treatment?

If a problem is confirmed, the doctor may prescribe certain medications to restore blood flow and dissolve blood clots.

• Anticoagulant drugs: These are commonly called blood thinners. They work by preventing blood from clotting.
• Thrombolytic drugs: These work by dissolving and removing blood clots that have already formed.

What can we do to keep our venous system healthy?

It is very important to keep all the veins in our body healthy, not just the Internal Thoracic Vein. Here are some simple things you can do to do that.

• Control high blood pressure: If you have high blood pressure, follow your doctor's instructions.
• Eat a healthy diet: Eat more vegetables, fruits, and greens. Reduce oil, salt, and sugar.
• Exercise regularly: Do something like walking or running for at least 30 minutes a day.
• Drink plenty of water: Drinking the required amount of water per day helps blood circulation.
• Stop smoking and tobacco use: These are very harmful to the veins.

These simple lifestyle changes will go a long way in keeping your entire circulatory system healthy.