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AnatomyHead and neckNeckInferior thyroid vein
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AnatomyHead and neckNeckInferior thyroid vein

Inferior thyroid vein

Author: Egle Pirie, BSc (Hons) • Reviewer: Dimitrios Mytilinaios, MD, PhD
Last reviewed: October 30, 2023
Reading time: 3 minutes

Recommended video: Main veins of the head and neck [14:45]
Major veins of the head and neck.
Inferior thyroid vein
Vena thyroidea inferior
Synonyms: Vena thyreoidea inferior

The inferior thyroid vein is a paired vein located in the lower neck. The left and right inferior thyroid veins arise at the inferior poles of the respective lobes of the thyroid gland. They have a short inferior course, each draining into the respective brachiocephalic vein.

The function of the inferior thyroid vein is to contribute to the venous drainage of the thyroid gland, along with the superior and middle thyroid veins. Moreover, it contributes to the draining of the cervical part of the esophagus, distal part of the larynx and the proximal part of the trachea as it communicates with the inferior laryngeal vein, esophageal and tracheal veins. 

Key facts about the inferior thyroid vein
Drains from Thyroid venous plexus
Tributaries Inferior laryngeal, esophageal and  tracheal veins
Drains to Brachiocephalic veins/ Superior vena cava
Drainage area Thyroid gland, cervical part of esophagus

This article will discuss the anatomy and function of the inferior thyroid vein.

Contents
  1. Origin and course
  2. Tributaries and drainage area
  3. Sources
+ Show all

Origin and course

Inferior thyroid vein
Vena thyroidea inferior
1/5
Synonyms: Vena thyreoidea inferior

The inferior thyroid vein arises from an anastomotic venous network between the superior and middle thyroid veins. Each inferior thyroid vein arises via several small branches, which leave the thyroid gland at the inferior border of its respective lobes. They then descend over the anterior surface of the trachea and the pretracheal fascia, where they anastomose and form the pretracheal venous plexus. 

Each inferior thyroid vein leaves the pretracheal plexus at its inferior margin and continues the course towards the brachiocephalic veins. The left inferior thyroid vein drains into the left brachiocephalic vein, while the right inferior thyroid vein empties into the right brachiocephalic vein. At times, the inferior thyroid veins may join and drain directly into the superior vena cava or into the right brachiocephalic vein via a common trunk.

Tributaries and drainage area

The inferior thyroid veins contribute to the venous drainage of the thyroid gland. Moreover, via the pretracheal venous plexus, they collect the blood from the inferior laryngeal vein, esophageal veins and tracheal veins. Thus, the inferior thyroid veins also drain the cervical part of the esophagus, inferior part of the larynx and the cervical portion of the trachea. 

For more information about the arteries and veins of the neck, check out our study units full of helpful videos and quizzes.

Neurovasculature of the neck Explore study unit

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:

  • Standring, S. (2016). Gray's Anatomy (41st ed.). Edinburgh: Elsevier Churchill Livingstone.
  • Tubbs, R. S., Shoja, M. M., Loukas, M., & Bergman, R. A. (2016). Bergman’s comprehensive encyclopedia of human anatomic variation. Hoboken: Wiley Blackwell.

Illustrators:

  • Inferior thyroid veins (Venae thyroideae inferiores) - Yousun Koh

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