The jugular veins are major veins in the neck that carry deoxygenated blood from the head, brain, face, and neck back to the heart. There are two main sets on each side of the neck: the internal and external jugular veins.
1. Internal Jugular Vein (IJV)
- Location: Deep in the neck, next to the carotid artery.
- Function: Drains blood from the brain, eyes, and deep structures of the face and neck.
- Pathway: Runs down the neck and joins the subclavian vein to form the brachiocephalic vein, which empties into the superior vena cava and then the heart.
2. External Jugular Vein (EJV)
- Location: More superficial, running along the side of the neck over the sternocleidomastoid muscle.
- Function: Drains blood from the scalp, face, and superficial neck tissues.
- Pathway: Empties into the subclavian vein.
Clinical Significance
- Jugular venous pressure (JVP):
- Visible pulsation in the neck veins can indicate heart conditions, especially right-sided heart failure.
- Central venous access:
- The internal jugular vein is commonly used for catheter placement in medical procedures.
- Trauma risk:
- Being superficial, the external jugular vein can be injured in neck trauma.
Quick Facts
- The internal jugular vein is larger and more important for returning blood from the brain.
- Jugular veins are often examined in hospitals to assess cardiovascular health.
If you want, I can make a simple diagram showing the internal and external jugular veins and their drainage paths—makes it much easier to visualize.
Do you want me to do that?
