Patterns of superficial veins of the cubital fossa in Nigerian subjects.

Patterns of superficial veins of the cubital fossa were studied in 300 persons in Nigeria. Five types were observed in this study. The commonest pattern found in Nigerians was the median cubital vein arising from the cephalic vein a little below the level of the elbow (62% in males and 49% in females). To some extent this incidence is comparable with the findings in Americans (70%) and Britishers (53%). However, there is a clear contrast when compared with Japanese (84%) and Indians (16%). The next commonest pattern in Nigerians was the median vein of the forearm dividing into two and joining the basilic and cephalic veins (24-30%). This pattern was also comparable with Americans and Britishers but is in clear contrast to the findings in Indians and Japanese. The incidence of the other patterns was very low in this as well as in all other reports.