Superior phrenic vein

Looks like

Small veins on the upper surface of the back of the diaphragm.

What it does

Drain the top of the diaphragm into veins of the chest wall (the azygos system).

Keeping it well

Rarely clinically important.

Related conditions

• Chronic venous insufficiency
• Clotting disorders (thrombophilia & APS)
• Deep vein thrombosis
• Varicose veins