The deeper of the two jugular veins in the neck
that drain blood from the head, brain, face and neck and convey it toward the heart.
T he internal jugular vein collects blood from the brain, the outside of the
face and the neck. It runs down the inside of the neck outside the internal and
common carotid arteries and unites with the subclavian vein to form the innominate
vein.
The external jugular vein collects most of the blood from the outside of the
skull and the deep parts of the face. It lies outside the sternocleidomastoid muscle,
passes down the neck and joins the subclavian vein.
The jugular veins are particularly prominent during congestive heart failure.
When the patient is sitting or in a semirecumbent position, the height of the jugular
veins and their pulsations provides an estimate of the central venous pressure and
gives important information about whether the heart is keeping up with the demands
on it or is failing.
The word "jugular" refers to the throat or neck. It derives from the Latin "jugulum"
meaning throat or collarbone and the Latin "jugum" meaning yoke. To go for the jugular
is to attack a vital part that is particularly vulnerable.
Common Misspellings: internal jugular vains, internal jugular vien
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