The supreme intercostal vein (highest intercostal vein) is a paired vein that drains the first intercostal space on its corresponding side.

It usually drains into the brachiocephalic vein.^[1] Alternatively, it drains into the superior intercostal vein, or the vertebral vein of its corresponding side.

This vein does not have valves, this is an important point when it comes to spread of cancerous secondaries.^{[citation needed]}

• Diagram showing completion of development of the parietal veins.

• superior intercostal vein
• posterior intercostal vein
• azygos vein