Abstract
The venous drainage of the neck can be characterized into superficial or deep. Superficial drainage refers to the venous drainage of the subcutaneous tissues, which are drained by the anterior and external jugular veins (EJVs). The brain, face, and neck structures are mainly drained by the internal jugular vein (IJV). The superficial veins are found deep to the platysma muscle while the deep veins are found encased in the carotid sheath. The junction of the retromandibular vein and the posterior auricular vein usually form the EJV, which continues along to drain into the subclavian vein. The anterior jugular vein is usually formed by the submandibular veins, travels downward anterior to the sternocleidomastoid muscle (SCM), and drains either into the EJV or the subclavian vein. Other superficial veins of the neck to consider are the superior, middle, and inferior thyroid veins. The superior thyroid and middle thyroid veins drain into the IJV whereas the inferior thyroid vein usually drains into the brachiocephalic veins.
Highlights
BackgroundThe external jugular vein (EJV) is the preferred vein when performing a central venous catheterization
The junction of the retromandibular vein and the posterior auricular vein usually form the EJV, which continues along to drain into the subclavian vein
The anterior jugular vein is usually formed by the submandibular veins, travels downward anterior to the sternocleidomastoid muscle (SCM), and drains either into the EJV or the subclavian vein
Summary
The external jugular vein (EJV) is the preferred vein when performing a central venous catheterization. There can be many variations with respect to the venous drainage of the neck One such variation is a vein originating in the occipital region, usually a tributary of the common facial vein, which travels obliquely along the anterior border of the sternocleidomastoid muscle (SCM) and eventually drains into the IJV, middle part of the EJV, jugular venous arch, or brachiocephalic vein [2,8]. The jugular venous arch is usually formed by the two anterior jugular veins, just above the sternum, which travels downward along the midline between the pretracheal and superficial layers of the cervical fascia, i.e., in the space of Burns. The variations in the middle thyroid vein are important when performing surgical procedures involving the thyroid and parathyroid glands or near the recurrent laryngeal nerve This vein usually crosses the common carotid artery anteriorly and eventually drains into the IJV. Complications can be minimized with a good understanding of both normal and anomalous vascular anatomy
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