Connection lost. Please refresh the page.
Online
Get help How to study
English
Login Register
Anatomy
Basics
Terminology Introduction to the musculoskeletal system Introduction to the other systems
Upper limb
Overview Shoulder and arm Elbow and forearm Wrist and hand Nerves and vessels
Lower limb
Overview Hip and thigh Knee and leg Ankle and foot Nerves and vessels
Spine and back
Overview Spine Back
Thorax
Thoracic wall Female breast Mediastinum Lungs Heart
Abdomen
Abdominal wall Peritoneum Stomach Spleen Liver Pancreas Small intestine Large intestine Kidneys and ureters Nerves, vessels and lymphatics of the abdomen
Pelvis and perineum
Pelvic girdle and floor Female pelvis and reproductive organs Male pelvis and reproductive organs Urinary bladder and urethra Perineum Nerves, vessels and lymphatics of the pelvis
Head and neck
Overview Skull Face and scalp Infratemporal region and pterygopalatine fossa Orbit and contents Nasal region Ear Oral cavity Teeth Pharynx Neck
Neuroanatomy
Overview Cerebrum Diencephalon Cerebellum Brainstem Meninges, ventricular system and subarachnoid space Blood supply of the brain Spinal cord Pathways of the nervous system Cranial nerves Peripheral nervous system
Cross sections
Head and neck Upper limb Thorax Abdomen Male pelvis Female pelvis Lower limb
Radiological anatomy
Head and neck Thorax Abdomen and pelvis Upper limb Lower limb
Histology
Types of tissues
Introduction to cells and tissues Epithelial tissue Connective tissue Cartilage and bone Muscle tissue Nervous tissue
Body systems
Cardiovascular system Nervous system Integumentary system Respiratory system Urinary system Endocrine system Digestive system Lymphoid system Male reproductive system Female reproductive system Eye and ear
AnatomyHead and neckNeckExternal jugular vein
Table of contents
Ready to learn?
Pick your favorite study tool

Register now and grab your free ultimate anatomy study guide!

AnatomyHead and neckNeckExternal jugular vein

External jugular vein

Author: Gordana Sendić, MD • Reviewer: Jana Vasković, MD
Last reviewed: November 03, 2023
Reading time: 3 minutes

Recommended video: Neurovasculature and lymph nodes of the neck [25:23]
Arteries, veins, nerves and lymph nodes of the neck.
External jugular vein (Vena jugularis externa)

The external jugular vein is a vein of the neck that arises from the union of the posterior division of the retromandibular vein and the posterior auricular vein.

The external jugular vein begins near the mandibular angle, just below or within the substance of the parotid gland. It descends obliquely along the neck, superficial to the sternocleidomastoid muscle. Upon reaching the clavicle, it crosses the deep cervical fascia and ends by draining into the subclavian vein. The main function of the external jugular vein is to drain the superficial structures of the head, i.e. the scalp and face.

Key facts about the external jugular vein
Drains from Confluence of posterior division of the retromandibular vein with the posterior auricular vein
Tributaries Cervical, suprascapular, anterior jugular veins
Drains to Subclavian vein
Drainage area Scalp, face

This article will discuss the anatomy and function of the external jugular vein.

Contents
  1. Anatomy and course
  2. Clinical significance
  3. Sources
+ Show all

Anatomy and course

External jugular vein
Vena jugularis externa
1/3
Synonyms: none

The external jugular vein begins at the level of the mandibular angle, just below the parotid gland. It arises from the confluence of the posterior division of the retromandibular vein and the posterior auricular vein. It then descends obliquely downwards along the neck, deep to the platysma, the superficial cervical fascia and the skin. It courses superficial to the sternocleidomastoid muscle, being separated from it by the deep cervical fascia. Along its course, the external jugular vein crosses the transverse cutaneous nerve, lying parallel with the great auricular nerve. It maintains this relation until it reaches the midpoint of the clavicle, where it crosses the deep cervical fascia and ends in the subclavian vein, lateral or anterior to scalenus anterior muscle.

Besides the posterior division of the retromandibular vein and the posterior auricular vein, the external jugular vein also receives the cervical, suprascapular and anterior jugular veins as tributaries near its termination. Occasionally, it is also joined by the occipital vein and a branch from the internal jugular vein. The function of the external jugular vein is to drain the venous blood from the superficial parts of the scalp and face, as well as several deeper regions of the head.

Clinical significance

The external jugular vein has significance in everyday clinical practice. Namely, increased pressure in the superior vena cava or the right atrium of the heart causes blood flow to back up into the internal and external jugular veins. This results in jugular venous distention (JVD), in which the jugular veins, and especially the external jugular vein due to its superficial location, become visibly engorged. Thus, distended neck veins can be a telltale sign of conditions such as congestive heart failure, cardiac tamponade, pulmonary hypertension or superior vena cava obstruction.

Sources

All content published on Kenhub is reviewed by medical and anatomy experts. The information we provide is grounded on academic literature and peer-reviewed research. Kenhub does not provide medical advice. You can learn more about our content creation and review standards by reading our content quality guidelines.

References

  • Moore, K. L., Dalley, A. F., & Agur, A. M. R. (2014). Clinically Oriented Anatomy (7th ed.). Philadelphia, PA: Lippincott Williams & Wilkins.
  • Netter, F. (2019). Atlas of Human Anatomy (7th ed.). Philadelphia, PA: Saunders.
  • Standring, S. (2016). Gray's Anatomy (41st ed.). Edinburgh: Elsevier Churchill Livingstone.
  • Sinnatamby, C. S., & Last, R. J. (2011). Last's anatomy: Regional and applied. (12th edition). Edinburgh: Churchill Livingstone.
  • Tubbs, R. S., Shoja, M. M., Loukas, M., & Bergman, R. A. (2016). Bergmans comprehensive encyclopedia of human anatomic variation. Hoboken: Wiley Blackwell.

Illustrators

  • External jugular vein (Vena jugularis externa) - Yousun Koh

External jugular vein: want to learn more about it?

Our engaging videos, interactive quizzes, in-depth articles and HD atlas are here to get you top results faster.

What do you prefer to learn with?

Videos Quizzes Both

“I would honestly say that Kenhub cut my study time in half.” – Read more.

Kim Bengochea Kim Bengochea, Regis University, Denver
© Unless stated otherwise, all content, including illustrations are exclusive property of Kenhub GmbH, and are protected by German and international copyright laws. All rights reserved.

Register now and grab your free ultimate anatomy study guide!