Aberrant internal jugular vein penetrates posterior skull base

Abstract

The internal jugular vein (IJV) is responsible for the venous drainage of the brain as well as deep portions of the face and neck. The IJV originates at the base of the skull in the posterior compartment of the jugular foramen and courses in the vertical direction, within the lateral portion of the carotid sheath.1 Anatomical variations of IJV is reported to be as rare as 4 per 10,000 births. Most of the reported variations include bifurcation, duplication, fenestration, trifurcation, and posterior tributary.