What are the common sites for venipuncture?

The common sites for venipuncture are the median cubital, cephalic, dorsal hand veins and basilic veins. Venipuncture is the act of collecting blood from veins for the purpose of laboratory testing, according to MedlinePlus. The blood is typically drawn from the veins inside a person's elbow or in the back of the hand.

The median cubital and cephalic veins in the arm are the most common venipuncture sites, notes Akron Children's Hospital. If these are not prominent, the basilic vein, located on the arm's pinkie site, is used. However, it is not preferred due to its location near the median nerve and brachial artery. As a last resort, ankle and foot veins may be used for venipuncture.