STEM Venipuncture 
Cadaver Dissection

          Slide 1   The Antecubital Region                              Slide 2   The Median Cephalic and                       Slide 3   The Antecubital Arteries
                                                                                                                                    Median Basilic Veins

Antecubital Region
The anatomists defined this region - as the skin 1-2 inches below the antecubital line (the bend in the arm) to 1-2 inches above the antecubital line, from side to side, the entire anterior surface.  This is a surgical field.  And the entire antecubital region must be prepped for the venipuncture - to avoid HAIs (healthcare acquired infections). 

Median Cephalic and Median Basilic Antecubital Superficial Veins
These are just two of the many veins in this region - above, on and below the antecubital line (the bend in the arm).  

• Note how flat and thin the vein wall is - with or without blood.
• Note how close to the surface of the skin these veins are.
• Note how the veins are embedded within the subcutaneous tissue.

Not all veins are created equal.  So not all veins should be stuck.  Learn the VAT method for:  How to Locate a Healthy Vein - 21cVA way.

Antecubital Arteries

• Note how thick and rubbery the wall of these arteries are.
• Realize that these are structures directly beneath these antecubital veins - structures that should NOT be stuck.
• And beneath the arteries are muscle tendons and beneath that, bone.