Jugular veins

The main blood vessels collecting blood from the head and neck: (a) external bilateral are the major veins draining the scalp and face and (b) internal bilateral are the major veins draining the brain.

One of the veins which pass down either side of the neck.

Any of several veins in the neck that drain blood from the head and empty into larger veins leading to the heart.

The large vein that returns oxygen- poor blood from much of the head and neck toward the heart. The name “jugular” comes from the Latin word for throat.

Any one of several veins in the neck. The internal jugular is a very large paired vein running vertically down the side of the neck and draining blood from the brain, face, and neck. It ends behind the sternoclavicular joint, where it joins the subclavian vein. The external jugular is a smaller paired vein running superficially down the neck to the subclavian vein and draining blood from the face, scalp, and neck. Its tributary, the anterior jugular, runs down the front of the neck.

Any of the two pairs of bilateral veins that return blood to the heart from the head and neck. The external jugular vein receives the blood from the exterior of the cranium and the deep parts of the face. It lies superficial to the sternocleidomastoid muscle as it passes down the neck to join the subclavian vein. The internal jugular vein receives blood from the brain and superficial parts of the face and neck. It is directly continuous with the transverse sinus, accompanying the internal carotid artery as it passes down the neck, and joins with the subclavian vein to form the innominate vein. The jugular veins are more prominent during expiration than during inspiration and are also prominent during cardiac decompensation.

Each side of the neck contains three veins: the internal, external, and anterior jugular veins. These veins play the role of carrying deoxygenated blood from the head back to the heart. Among these, the internal jugular vein is the largest. It originates at the skull’s base and runs down the neck in close proximity to the carotid arteries. Eventually, it passes behind the collarbone (clavicle) and merges with the subclavian vein. This subclavian vein is responsible for draining blood from the arms.