Corpus: Inferior thyroid vein

The inferior thyroid veins are a group of 2 to 4 veins that originate from the thyroid plexus and drain blood from the thyroid gland.

The inferior thyroid veins are connected with the middle thyroid vein and the superior thyroid vein. As they travel downward, they form a venous plexus on the trachea behind the sternothyroid muscle. The left inferior thyroid vein drains into the left brachiocephalic vein, while the right inferior thyroid vein runs diagonally downward over the brachiocephalic trunk, approximately meeting the point where the right brachiocephalic vein opens into the superior vena cava.

As they descend, the veins collect smaller vessels that originate from the trachea and esophagus.