In this video, we will consider the anatomy, areas of blood drainage, and anastomoses of the external jugular vein.The external jugular vein (v. jugularis externa) is a large paired vein that lies to the right and left on the sternocleidomastoid muscle.

It is formed at the level of the mandible under the auricle by two large veins:

1. The anastomosis between the external jugular vein and the retromandibular vein (v. retromandibularis)

   

   

2. The posterior auricular vein (v. auricularis posterior).

Under the subcutaneous muscle of the neck, the external jugular vein goes to the clavicle and communicates with the subclavian vein, collecting blood from the face and external areas of the head and neck.

Several tributaries flow into the external jugular vein:

1. The posterior auricular vein (v. auricularis posterior) drains venous blood from the superficial plexus behind the auricle.

   

   It is partially communicated with the mastoid emissary vein (v. emissaria mastoidea).

   

2. The occipital vein (v. occipitalis) drains venous blood from the venous plexus of the head. It adheres to the occipital artery.

   

3. The suprascapular vein (v. suprascapularis) collects blood from the posterior scapular region. The suprascapular vein accompanies the suprascapular artery.

   

4. The transverse cervical veins (vv. transversae cervicis) are located parallel to the arteries of the same name. They pass externally from the scalenus anterior muscle and the muscle lifting the scapula. Drain blood from the muscles of the pectoral girdle.

   

5. The anterior jugular vein (v. jugularis anterior) drains blood from the anterior parts of the neck. It is formed from the skin veins of the mental area. The right and left anterior jugular veins above the jugular notch of the sternum communicate with each other by anastomosis called the jugular venous arch (arcus venosus jugularis). Next, the anterior jugular vein communicates with the external jugular vein.

Dictionary

The external jugular veinand its tributaries

External jugular vein

v. jugularis externa

Retromandibular vein

v. retromandibularis

Posterior auricular vein

v. auricularis posterior

Posterior auricular vein

v. auricularis posterior

Occipital vein

v. occipitalis

Suprascapular vein

v. suprascapularis

Transverse cervical veins

vv. transversae cervicis

Anterior jugular vein

v. jugularis anterior

Jugular venosus arch

arcus venosus jugularis