The cephalic vein is situated within the superficial fascia along the anterolateral surface of the biceps.

[citation needed] The cephalic vein forms at the roof of the anatomical snuffbox at the radial end of the dorsal venous network of hand.

[citation needed] The cephalic vein is often visible through the skin, and its location in the deltopectoral groove is fairly consistent, making this site a good candidate for venous access.

[medical citation needed] Ordinarily the term cephalic refers to anatomy of the head.

When the Persian Muslim physician Ibn Sīnā's Canon was translated into medieval Latin, cephalic was mistakenly chosen to render the Arabic term al-kífal, meaning "outer".