Jugulo-facial venous circle, accessory slip of trapezius and absence of typical facial vein—Clinically important anatomical variations

Abstract

Knowledge of facial and external jugular vein variations is useful for medical disciplines such as radiology, anesthesia, general surgery and plastic surgery for the success in their procedures in the head and neck region. I report a unique combination of venous and muscular variation in the left side of the neck of an adult male cadaver. The typical facial vein was absent. Facial vein was represented as a vena comitans of facial artery. The common facial vein joined with the external jugular vein to form a jugulo-facial venous circle above the lateral part of the clavicle. This circle was closely related to an accessory muscle slip from the trapezius. Further, the common facial vein was connected to the anterior jugular vein through a large anonymous vein. I discuss the clinical implications of these variations.