Table of Contents
What is the external jugular vein?
Any of the two pairs of bilateral veins that return blood to the heart from the head and neck. The external jugular vein receives the blood from the exterior of the cranium and the deep parts of the face. It lies superficial to the sternocleidomastoid muscle as it passes down the neck to join the subclavian vein.
What does it mean to go for the jugular?
The jugular vein is the subject of a popular idiom in the English language, deriving from its status as the vein most vulnerable to attack. The phrase “to go for the jugular” means to attack decisively at the weakest point – in other words, to attack at the opportune juncture for a definitive resolution, or coup de grace.
What is the difference between jugular and subclavian veins?
The jugular veins are veins that take deoxygenated blood from the head back to the heart via the superior vena cava. The internal jugular veins join with the subclavian veins more medially to form the brachiocephalic veins.
Is the jugular vein continuous with the transverse sinus?
It is directly continuous with the transverse sinus, accompanying the internal carotid artery as it passes down the neck, and joins with the subclavian vein to form the innominate vein. The jugular veins are more prominent during expiration than during inspiration and are also prominent during cardiac decompensation.
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.
How many tributaries does the jugular vein have?
The internal jugular vein receives eight tributaries along its course. Its function is to drain the venous blood from the majority of the skull, brain, and superficial structures of the head and neck.
How is jugular venous pressure measured?
The JVP is usually assessed on the right side of the patient’s neck. The examiner palpates the internal jugular vein in order to determine the location and quality of the jugular venous pulse. The mean jugular venous pressure is defined as a distance between the midpoint of the right atrium and the palpable jugular venous pulsation.