A central venous catheter is a catheter placed into a vein.
A central venous catheter ( CVC ) , also known as a central line , central venous line , or central venous access catheter , is a catheter placed into a large vein . Catheters can be placed in veins in the neck ( internal jugular vein ) , chest ( subclavian vein or axillary vein ) , groin ( femoral vein ) , or through veins in the arms ( also known as a PICC line , or peripherally inserted central catheters ) .