Common Venipuncture Sites

Venipuncture is a procedure involving the puncture of a vein for the purposes of collecting blood, or administering intravenous (IV) therapy and IV drugs. A phlebotomist or other health care provider will apply a tourniquet above the intended area of the venipuncture. When the veins become engorged for easier visualization, the health care provider will select the best site, prior to entering the needle for collecting a specimen, or subsequently inserting an IV catheter to establish a line. According to the book "Fundamentals of Nursing," the most frequently used sites on an adult are the veins of the forearm because the bones of the forearm act as a natural support and splint to help keep the IV line in place.

Median Cubital Vein

The most commonly used site for a venipuncture is at the bend of the elbow, also called the antecubital fossa. Located here is the median cubital vein, a superficial vein, which forms a connection point between the cephalic and basilic veins of the arm, according to BD Diagnostics. The median cubital vein is large, and therefore easier to see and feel. According to the book "How the Body Works," some risks associated with using this vein are penetration of the biceps tendon and the brachial artery. These tissues lie just below the median cubital vein so care must be taken not to puncture too deeply.

Cephalic Vein

The cephalic vein runs superficially under the skin along the outer side of the upper and lower arm, eventually dipping under the shoulder to join the axillary vein in the armpit. This is another acceptable venipuncture site if more visible and easier for access, or if scarring is present in the antecubital space from previous venipunctures. More commonly, the cephalic vein is accessed on the forearm rather than the upper arm.

Basilic Vein

The basilic vein, another main superficial vein of the arm, runs along the inner side of the upper arm and forearm. The basilic vein is also commonly used for a venipuncture in the forearm rather than the upper arm. This is because halfway up the upper arm, the vein turns inwards to become a deep vein, according to the book "How the Body Works." Deep veins run along arteries and present a risk for puncture to the artery.