Internal jugular vein

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Internal jugular vein
The fascia and middle thyroid veins. (Internal jugular visible at center left.)
Veins of the tongue. The hypoglossal nerve has been displaced downward in this preparation. (Internal jugular visible at bottom left.)
Details
Drains from	Neck
Source	Sigmoid sinus and Inferior petrosal sinus
Drains to	brachiocephalic vein
Artery	internal carotid, common carotid
Identifiers
Latin	vena jugularis interna
TA98	A12.3.05.001
TA2	4800
FMA	4724
Anatomical terminology [edit on Wikidata]

The internal jugular vein is a paired jugular vein that collects blood from the brain and the superficial parts of the face and neck. This vein runs in the carotid sheath with the common carotid artery and vagus nerve.

It begins in the posterior compartment of the

This vein also has a common trunk into which drains the anterior branch of the

It runs down the side of the neck in a vertical direction, being at one end lateral to the internal carotid artery, and then lateral to the common carotid artery, and at the root of the neck, it unites with the subclavian vein to form the brachiocephalic vein (innominate vein); a little above its termination is a second dilation, the inferior bulb.

Above, it lies upon the

At the root of the neck, the right internal jugular vein is a little distance from the common carotid artery, and crosses the first part of the subclavian artery, while the left internal jugular vein usually overlaps the common carotid artery.

The left vein is generally smaller than the right, and each contains a pair of

Variation

In 9–12% of the Western population, the size, shape or course of the internal jugular vein is abnormal.^[1] Variants identified including veins markedly smaller, or not functionally present.^[2] The mean diameter is 10 mm, but may range between 5 and 35 mm.^[3]

Tributaries

• Inferior petrosal sinus
• Pharyngeal vein
• Common facial vein
• Lingual vein
• Superior thyroid vein
• Middle thyroid vein
• Occipital vein (sometimes)

Clinical relevance

The jugular veins are relatively superficial and not protected by tissues such as bone or cartilage. This makes them susceptible to damage. Due to the large volumes of blood that flow through the jugular veins, damage to the jugulars can quickly cause significant blood loss, which can lead to hypovolæmic shock and then death if not treated.

Jugular venous pressure

As there is one pair of valves between the

• right ventricular failure (heart failure
  ),
• tricuspid stenosis
• tricuspid regurgitation
• cardiac tamponade

The JVP can also be artificially raised by applying pressure to the liver (the

Catheterization

As the internal jugular is large, central and relatively superficial, it is often used to place central venous lines. Such a line may be inserted for several reasons, such as to accurately measure the central venous pressure or to administer fluids when a line in a peripheral vein would be unsuitable (such as during resuscitation when peripheral veins are hard to locate).^[5]

Because the internal jugular rarely varies in its location, it is easier to find than other veins. However, sometimes when a line is inserted the jugular is missed and other structures such as the carotid artery, lung or the vagus nerve (CN X) are punctured, and damage is caused to these structures.

Additional images

• 
  Diagram showing completion of development of the parietal veins.
• 
  The venæ cavæ and azygos veins, with their tributaries.
• 
  The thyroid gland and its relations.

See also

• Jugular vein

References

This article incorporates text in the public domain from page 648 of the 20th edition of Gray's Anatomy (1918)