Cardiovascular System of the Head and Neck Home > Cardiovascular System > Cardiovascular System of the Head and Neck Cardiovascular System of the Head and Neck The cardiovascular system of the head and neck includes the vital arteries that provide oxygenated blood to the brain and organs of the head, including the mouth and eyes. It also includes the veins that return deoxygenated blood from these organs to the heart. Among these blood vessels are several unique and important structures that have evolved to help maintain the continuous flow of blood to the brain. The human brain is so powerful and metabolically active that it uses about 20% of all of the oxygen and glucose taken in by the body each day.... Move up/down/left/right: Click compass arrows Rotate image: Click and drag in any direction, anywhere in the frame Identify objects: Click on them in the image 2D Interactive 3D Rotate & Zoom Change Anatomical System Change View Angle Full Cardiovascular System of the Head and Neck Description [Continued from above] . . . Any interruption in the blood flow to the brain very quickly results in the decline of mental function, loss of consciousness, and eventually death if not corrected.

Oxygenated blood enters the neck from the trunk through four major arteries: the left and right vertebral arteries and the left and right common carotid arteries. The vertebral arteries travel through the transverse foramina of the cervical vertebrae before entering the skull at the foramen magnum and joining at the base of the brain to form the basilar artery. From there the basilar artery provides blood to the posterior structures of the brain, including the brain stem, cerebellum, and cerebrum. The left and right carotid arteries each divide in the neck to form the left and right internal carotid as well as the left and right external carotid arteries. The internal carotid arteries pass into the skull inferior to the brain through the left and right carotid foramina. At the base of the brain, the internal carotid arteries branch off into the left and right anterior cerebral arteries and the left and right middle cerebral arteries that supply blood to the middle and anterior regions of the brain. At the base of the brain several communicating arteries form anastomoses, or passages, between the left and right posterior cerebral, left and right internal carotid, and left and right anterior cerebral arteries.

These arteries collectively form a ring of blood vessels known as the Circle of Willis. The Circle of Willis provides insurance that the brain will continue to receive blood flow in the event that one of its major arteries is blocked by allowing blood flow between all of the major arteries to all of the regions of the brain. In the neck and head exterior to the skull, the external carotid artery provides blood flow to the skin, muscles, and organs. Several major arteries - including the facial, superficial temporal, and occipital arteries - branch off from the external carotid to provide blood to the many superficial structures of the head. Three pairs of major veins return deoxygenated blood from the tissues of the head and neck to the heart. The left and right vertebral veins descend through the transverse foramina of the cervical vertebrae to drain blood from the spinal cord, cervical vertebrae, and muscles of the neck. In the head, superficial structures on the exterior of the skull are drained by the pair of external jugular veins, which descend through the neck lateral to the vertebral veins. Most importantly, the brain is drained by a group of large cavities in the dura mater layer of the meninges known as dural venous sinuses.

Blood collected in these sinuses drains into the largest veins in the head and neck - the left and right internal jugular veins. The internal jugular veins collect blood from the brain as well as the superficial structures of the head and neck before descending through the neck towards the heart. Prepared by Tim Taylor, Anatomy and Physiology Instructor The Veins of the Neck - Human Anatomy Internal Jugular. Vertebral. The external jugular vein (v. jugularis externa) receives the greater part of the blood from the exterior of the cranium and the deep parts of the face, being formed by the junction of the posterior division of the posterior facial with the posterior auricular vein. It commences in the substance of the parotid gland, on a level with the angle of the mandible, and runs perpendicularly down the neck, in the direction of a line drawn from the angle of the mandible to the middle of the clavicle at the posterior border of the Sternocleidomastoideus.

In its course it crosses the Sternocleidomastoideus obliquely, and in the subclavian triangle perforates the deep fascia, and ends in the subclavian vein, lateral to or in front of the Scalenus anterior. It is separated from the Sternocleidomastoideus by the investing layer of the deep cervical fascia, and is covered by the Platysma, the superficial fascia, and the integument; it crosses the cutaneous cervical nerve, and its upper half runs parallel with the great auricular nerve. The external jugular vein varies in size, bearing an inverse proportion to the other veins of the neck, it is occasionally double. It is provided with two pairs of valves, the lower pair being placed at its entrance into the subclavian vein, the upper in most cases about 4 cm. above the clavicle. The portion of vein between the two sets of valves is often dilated, and is termed the sinus. These valves do not prevent the regurgitation of the blood, or the passage of injection from below upward.

Tributaries.This vein receives the occipital occasionally, the posterior external jugular, and, near its termination, the transverse cervical, transverse scapular, and anterior jugular veins; in the substance of the parotid, a large branch of communication from the internal jugular joins it. The posterior external jugular vein (v. jugularis posterior) begins in the occipital region and returns the blood from the skin and superficial muscles in the upper and back part of the neck, lying between the Splenius and Trapezius. It runs down the back part of the neck, and opens into the external jugular vein just below the middle of its course. The anterior jugular vein (v. jugularis anterior) begins near the hyoid bone by the confluence of several superficial veins from the submaxillary region. It descends between the median line and the anterior border of the Sternocleidomastoideus, and, at the lower part of the neck, passes beneath that muscle to open into the termination of the external jugular, or, in some instances, into the subclavian vein (Figs. 557, 558).

It varies considerably in size, bearing usually an inverse proportion to the external jugular; most frequently there are two anterior jugulars, a right and left; but sometimes only one. Its tributaries are some laryngeal veins, and occasionally a small thyroid vein. Just above the sternum the two anterior jugular veins communicate by a transverse trunk, the venous jugular arch, which receive tributaries from the inferior thyroid veins; each also communicates with the internal jugular. There are no valves in this vein. The internal jugular vein (v. jugularis interna) collects the blood from the brain, from the superficial parts of the face, and from the neck. It is directly continuous with the transverse sinus, and begins in the posterior compartment of the jugular foramen, at the base of the skull. At its origin it is somewhat dilated, and this dilatation is called the superior bulb.

It runs down the side of the neck in a vertical direction, lying at first lateral to the internal carotid artery, and then lateral to the common carotid, and at the root of the neck unites with the subclavian vein to form the innominate vein; a little above its termination is a second dilatation, the inferior bulb. Above, it lies upon the Rectus capitis lateralis, behind the internal carotid artery and the nerves passing through the jugular foramen; lower down, the vein and artery lie upon the same plane, the glossopharyngeal and hypoglossal nerves passing forward between them; the vagus descends between and behind the vein and the artery in the same sheath, and the accessory runs obliquely backward, superficial or deep to the vein. At the root of the neck the right internal jugular vein is placed at 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 valves, which are placed about 2.5 cm.

above the termination of the vessel. FIG. 559 Veins of the tongue. The hypoglossal nerve has been displaced downward in this preparation. (Testut after Hirschfeld.) Tributaries.This vein receives in its course the inferior petrosal sinus, the common facial, lingual, pharyngeal, superior and middle thyroid veins, and sometimes the occipital. The thoracic duct on the left side and the right lymphatic duct on the right side open into the angle of union of the internal jugular and subclavian veins. The Inferior Petrosal Sinus (sinus petrosus inferior) leaves the skull through the anterior part of the jugular foramen, and joins the superior bulb of the internal jugular vein. The Lingual Veins (vv. linguales) begin on the dorsum, sides, and under surface of the tongue, and, passing backward along the course of the lingual artery, end in the internal jugular vein.

The vena comitans of the hypoglossal nerve (ranine vein), a branch of considerable size, begins below the tip of the tongue, and may join the lingual; generally, however, it passes backward on the Hyoglossus, and joins the common facial. The Pharyngeal Veins (vv. pharyngeæ) begin in the pharyngeal plexus on the outer surface of the pharynx, and, after receiving some posterior meningeal veins and the vein of the pterygoid canal, end in the internal jugular. They occasionally open into the facial, lingual, or superior thyroid vein. The Superior Thyroid Vein (v. thyreoidea superioris) (Fig. 560) begins in the substance and on the surface of the thyroid gland, by tributaries corresponding with the branches of the superior thyroid artery, and ends in the upper part of the internal jugular vein. It receives the superior laryngeal and cricothyroid veins. The Middle Thyroid Vein (Figs.

561, 562) collects the blood from the lower part of the thyroid gland, and after being joined by some veins from the larynx and trachea, ends in the lower part of the internal jugular vein. The common facial and occipital veins have been described. FIG. 560 The veins of the thyroid gland. The vertebral vein (v. vertebralis) is formed in the suboccipital triangle, from numerous small tributaries which spring from the internal vertebral venous plexuses and issue from the vertebral canal above the posterior arch of the atlas. They unite with small veins from the deep muscles at the upper part of the back of the neck, and form a vessel which enters the foramen in the transverse process of the atlas, and descends, forming a dense plexus around the vertebral artery, in the canal formed by the foramina transversaria of the cervical vertebræ.

This plexus ends in a single trunk, which emerges from the foramen transversarium of the sixth cervical vertebra, and opens at the root of the neck into the back part of the innominate vein near its origin, its mouth being guarded by a pair of valves. On the right side, it crosses the first part of the subclavian artery. Tributaries.The vertebral vein communicates with the transverse sinus by a vein which passes through the condyloid canal, when that canal exists. It receives branches from the occipital vein and from the prevertebral muscles, from the internal and external vertebral venous plexuses, from the anterior vertebral and the deep cervical veins; close to its termination it is sometimes joined by the first intercostal vein. FIG. 561 Diagram showing common arrangement of thyroid veins. (Kocher.) FIG. 562 The fascia and middle thyroid veins. The veins here designated the inferior thyroid are called by Kocher the thyroidea ima.

(Poirier and Charpy.) The Anterior Vertebral Vein commences in a plexus around the transverse processes of the upper cervical vertebræ, descends in company with the ascending cervical artery between the Scalenus anterior and Longus capitis muscles, and opens into the terminal part of the vertebral vein. FIG. 563 The vertebral vein. (Poirier and Charpy.) The Deep Cervical Vein (v. cervicalis profunda; posterior vertebral or posterior deep cervical vein) accompanies its artery between the Semispinales capitis and colli. It begins in the suboccipital region by communicating branches from the occipital vein and by small veins from the deep muscles at the back of the neck. It receives tributaries from the plexuses around the spinous processes of the cervical vertebræ, and terminates in the lower part of the vertebral vein. Definition of External jugular vein Definition of External jugular vein Causes of a Heart Attack Slideshow External jugular vein: The more superficial of the two jugular veins situated on each side of the neck. The other is the internal jugular vein.

They drain blood from the head, brain, face and neck and convey it toward the heart. 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 and passes down the neck to join the subclavian vein. The 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 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.

Last Editorial Review: 5/13/2016 Blood Vessel Distribution Blood Vessel Distribution Pulmonary Circuit The pulmonary circuit begins at the semilunar valve of the pulmonary trunk that carries deoxygenated blood to the lungs. The pulmonary trunk divides into left and right pulmonary arteries that go to each lung. Blood is oxygenated in capillaries that flow through the alveoli of the lungs. Oxygenated blood is then returned to the left atrium of the heart by four pulmonary veins. Systemic Circuit The systemic circuit begins at the aortic semilunar valve with the ascending aorta. As previously noted, the coronary arteries come off at base of the ascending aorta. The curving aortic arch connects the ascending aorta with the descending aorta. Three elastic arteries come of aortic arch: 1. brachiocephalic trunk (a.k.a. innominate artery) divides into the right common carotid and right subclavian arteries. 2. left common carotid a. These arteries supply blood to the head, neck, shoulders and arms. The subclavian a. give off three major arteries before leaving the thoracic cavity: 1. Thyrocervical trunk 2.

Internal thoracic a. 3. Vertebral a. After leaving the thoracic cavity and passing over the first rib, the subclavian a. becomes the axillary (axillary = armpit) a. After giving off branches that supply the shoulder and chest, the axillary a. enters the arm and becomes the brachial a. In the region of the elbow, the brachial a. divides into the arteries that supply the forearm, the radial a. that follows the radius, and the ulnar a. that follows the ulna. Both the radial and ulnar aa. extend to the wrist. Systemic Veins The systemic veins return deoxygenated blood to the right atrium of the heart via the superior vena cava and inferior vena cava. Many systemic veins run alongside systemic arteries and have the same name as the accompanying artery. In the neck and limbs, in addition to the deep veins that run alongside deep arteries there are superficial veins that are much more variable. The superior vena cava receives blood from the head, neck, shoulder, chest and arms. Venous return from upper limb The superficial veins of the upper limb include the cephalic v.

that ascends along radial side of forearm and stays on the lateral side of the arm until it fuses with the axillary v. The basilic v. ascends along the ulnar side of the forearm and stays on the medial side of the arm until it fuses with the brachial v and continues as the axillary v. The median cubital v. interconnects cephalic and basilic veins. The deep veins are alongside the arteries and have the same names. The radial and ulnar veins fuse to form brachial v. The brachial v. receives blood from basilic v and becomes axillary v. and the axillary v. receives blood from the cephalic v. and becomes the subclavian v. Carotid Arteries and the Blood Supply to the Brain The common carotid a. ascends the neck and divides at the larynx into internal carotid a. and external carotid a. The external carotid a. supplies blood to the neck, pharynx, esophagus, larynx, lower jaw and face. The internal carotid a.

enters the cranium through the carotid canal and divides into the: 3. Middle cerebral a. Blood is also supplied to the brain by the vertebral a. The vertebral a. comes off the subclavian a., ascends through the transverse foramina of the cervical vertebrae and enters cranium through foramen magnum. On the medulla oblongata it fuses to form the basilar a. At the pons the basilar a. divides into the posterior cerebral arteries. Although the internal carotid a. supplies the anterior brain and the vertebral a. supplies the posterior brain, blood supply to the entire brain is ensured by anastomoses between the vessels from these two sources. This complex of anastomosing arteries is called the cerebral arterial circle (circle of Willis) and includes: Anterior cerebral arteries linked by anterior communicating artery Posterior cerebral arteries linked to internal carotids by the posterior communicating arteries Veins returning blood from cranium The superficial veins drain blood from cerebrum into dural sinuses. These dural sinuses form within the dura mater of the brain.

The location of some of these sinuses can be easily seen by the impressions they leave on the inner surface of the skull. These include the superior sagittal sinus, transverse sinus and sigmoid sinus. The deep veins that drain blood from the brain, also ultimately drain into the dural sinuses. The blood collected from the brain drains into the sigmoid sinus which exits the cranium by the jugular foramen to become the internal jugular vein. The vertebral v. collects blood from the cervical spinal cord and rear of the skull. It travels alongside the vertebral a. through transverse foramina of cervical vertebrae. Superficial veins of head and neck The facial, temporal and maxillary veins drain blood from the superficial tissues of the head. The temporal and maxillary veins drain into the external jugular v. and the facial vein drains into the internal jugular v. There is a broad anastomosis between the internal and external jugular veins at the angle of the mandible. The external jugular vein drains into the subclavian v. and the internal jugular v. joins the subclavian v. to form the brachiocephalic v.

Veins within thorax In the thorax, the external and internal jugular veins fuse with the subclavian v. and become the brachiocephalic v. The right and left brachiocephalic veins fuse to form the superior vena cava. The azygos v. ascends from lumbar region on right side of vertebral column and drains into the superior vena cava at the level of the second thoracic vertebra. The smaller hemiazygos v. collects blood from the left side of the thorax and drains into the azygos v. The azygos v. and hemiazygos v are the chief collecting vessels of the thorax. The inferior vena cava collects blood from organs inferior to diaphragm. Abdominal Aorta The descending aorta is divided into thoracic aorta and abdominal aorta by diaphragm. The thoracic aorta supplies blood to viscera of the thoracic cavity and the chest wall. The abdominal aorta gives off three unpaired arteries: 1. The celiac trunk divides into: a. Left gastric a. that supplies stomach and esophagus. b. Splenic a. that supplies spleen, stomach and pancreas.

c. Common hepatic a. that supplies liver, stomach, gall bladder, duodenum and pancreas. 2. Superior mesenteric a. that supplies pancreas, duodenum, small intestines and most of large intestines. 3. Inferior mesenteric a. that supplies the terminal portions of colon and the rectum. Paired arteries come off the abdominal aorta and include: Suprarenal a. that supply the adrenal glands. Renal a. that supply adrenal glands and kidneys. Gonadal a. that supply ovaries and testes. The abdominal aorta ends at the level of the fourth lumbar vertebra (L4) where it divides into right and left common iliac arteries. This region is called the terminal segment of the aorta. Veins draining abdomen The inferior vena cava drains blood from the lumbar wall, liver, kidneys, adrenal gland and the diaphragm. The following veins are involved: 1. Lumbar veins drain blood from the lumbar portion of the abdomen. 2. Gonadal veins drain blood from the testicles or ovaries. The left gonadal usually drains into the left renal vein. 3.

Hepatic veins drain blood from the liver. 4. Renal veins drain blood from the kidneys. 5. Suprarenal veins drain blood from the adrenal glands. 6. Phrenic veins drain blood from the diaphragm. Hepatic Portal System Of the digestive organs, only blood draining from the liver goes directly to the inferior vena cava. Blood from the small intestines, large intestines, stomach, pancreas and spleen flows into the liver by the hepatic portal vein. The veins that drain into the hepatic portal vein include the superior mesenteric v., inferior mesenteric v. and splenic v. This blood is nutrient-rich but oxygen-poor. Oxygen-rich blood is delivered to the liver by the hepatic artery proper. This arrangement allows the liver to perform its processing and storage functions. The blood from the hepatic portal vein flows through sinusoids in the liver and is collected by the hepatic veins. Arteries of Pelvis and Lower Limbs The common iliac a. supplies pelvis and lower limb. At the level of the lumbosacral joint it divides into: 1. Internal iliac a.

that supplies urinary bladder, pelvis, external genitalia and medial side of thigh. 2. External iliac a. that supplies lower limb. The external iliac a. penetrates abdominal wall and becomes the femoral a. The deep femoral a. that supplies the muscles of the thigh branches off the femoral a. The femoral a. continues on the back side of the femur and becomes the popliteal a. after it pierces through the adductor magnus and crosses the popliteal fossa. The popliteal a. divides into the anterior tibial a. and the posterior tibial a. Veins draining lower limbs The deep veins of the lower limbs are again alongside the arteries of the same name. The anterior tibial v. and posterior tibial v. drain blood from lower leg and fuse to form the popliteal v. The ascends alongside the femur and becomes the femoral v. The deep femoral v. that collects blood from the inner thigh drains into the femoral v. When the femoral v. penetrates the abdominal wall it is called the internal iliac v. The superficial veins of the lower limb include the great saphenous v.

that ascend along the medial aspect of the leg and thigh and drains into the femoral v. and the small saphenous v. that ascends along the posterior and lateral side of the leg and joins the popliteal v. Veins draining pelvis Inside the pelvis external iliac v. merges with internal iliac v. to form common iliac v. The common iliac veins fuse at the 5th lumbar vertebra to form the inferior vena cava. Fetal Circulation Differences between the adult and fetal circulation reflect differences in the nutritional and respiratory support. The fetus depends upon the maternal circulation for oxygen, nutrients and waste removal. Exchange takes place at the placenta. In the fetus, two umbilical arteries branch off internal iliac arteries and go to the placenta and a single umbilical vein drains the placenta. The umbilical vein drains oxygenated and nutrient-rich blood into ductus venosus in liver. The ductus venosus also receives deoxygenated blood from the liver and drains into the inferior vena cava. The fetal pulmonary circuit is not as important to the fetus as the lung is collapsed.

Some of the blood that enters the right atrium bypasses the pulmonary circuit by going through an opening in the interatrial septum called the foramen ovale. As blood leaves the right ventricle another major portion of blood bypasses the pulmonary circuit by going through a short muscular artery that connects the pulmonary trunk with the aorta called the ductus arteriosus. At birth, the lungs open and receive air and the pulmonary circuit becomes important. The ductus arteriosus undergoes vasoconstriction that is strong enough to stop the flow of blood. The ductus arteriosus then undergoes fibrosis to become the ligamentum arteriosum. As blood pressure rises in the left atrium a one way valve closes the foramen ovale and it adheres to the wall and undergoes fibrosis. It leaves a remnant in the interatrial septum called the fossa ovalis. At birth, the neonate also begins to rely on its own digestive system. The ductus venosus vasoconstricts and undergoes fibrosis to become the ligamentum venosum. Blood ceases to flow to the placenta by the umbilical arteries that collapse and become the median umbilical ligaments.

The umbilical vein also collapses and becomes the round ligament or ligamentum teres. The following summarizes the changes: Bulging neck veins, Enlarged or swollen glands and Pain or discomfort: Common Related Medical Conditions WebMD Symptom Checker Bulging neck veins, Enlarged or swollen glands and Pain or discomfort WebMD Symptom Checker helps you find the most common medical conditions indicated by the symptoms bulging neck veins, enlarged or swollen glands and pain or discomfort including Mononucleosis, Tonsillitis, and Congestive heart failure. There are 25 conditions associated with bulging neck veins, enlarged or swollen glands and pain or discomfort. The links below will provide you with more detailed information on these medical conditions from the WebMD Symptom Checker and help provide a better understanding of causes and treatment of these related conditions. Internal Jugular Vein Anatomy, Function & Diagram | Body Maps Your message has been sent. OK We're sorry, an error occurred. We are unable to collect your feedback at this time. However, your feedback is important to us. Please try again later.

Close Internal jugular vein The internal jugular vein is a major blood vessel that drains blood from important body organs and parts, such as the brain, face, and neck. Anatomically, there are two of these veins that lie along each side of the neck. They each rest beside the thyroid gland at the center of the neck, just above the collarbone and near the trachea, or windpipe. These veins functions to carry oxygen-depleted blood from the brain, face, and neck, and transport it to the heart through the superior vena cava. Generally, the left vein is somewhat smaller and thinner than the right, but both contain valves that assist with blood transport. The vein appears dilated (wider) at two points, and these distinct parts are called the superior bulb and the inferior bulb. The vein plays an important role in assessing jugular vein pressure, especially among people with heart disorders. Measurements of jugular vein pressure are used to evaluate central venous pressure, which indicates how much blood is returning to the heart and how well the heart is pumping blood back into the arteries.

Because this vein is also larger than most others, it is commonly used as an entry point to place venous lines, which are tubes (catheters) that are used to carry medicine or nutrients into the body. Because of its superficial location (near the outside of the body), the internal jugular vein is quite susceptible to injury, trauma, or damage. It also lacks protection from strong structures, like bones or cartilages. When blood flow to the vein is impeded or affected, shock or death will ultimately occur. Innominate vein | definition of innominate vein by Medical dictionary Innominate vein | definition of innominate vein by Medical dictionary Related to innominate vein: azygos vein innominate vein See brachiocephalic vein. innominate vein a large vein on either side of the neck that is formed by the union of the internal jugular and subclavian veins. The two veins drain blood from the head, neck, and upper extremities and unite to form the superior vena cava. Also called brachiocephalic vein . vein SYSTEMIC VEINS SYSTEMIC VEINS A vessel carrying blood toward the heart.

Most veins originate in capillaries and drain into increasingly larger veins until their blood is delivered to the right atrium of the heart. Portal veins also originate in capillaries, but their branches decrease in size to pass through another set of capillaries before joining more typical veins on their way toward the heart. For all veins, the precursor veins that empty into a secondary vein are called tributaries of the secondary vein. See: illustration; circulation ; vena The deep veins typically accompany arteries, and artery and vein have the same name, e.g., radial artery and radial vein. In contrast, the superficial or subcutaneous veins typically travel alone. The deep and superficial veins have frequent interconnections, i.e., anastomoses; in general, veins have more anastomoses than do arteries. Throughout the body, the pattern of veins is more variable than is the pattern of arteries. The walls of most veins have three layers: an endothelial lining, which folds at intervals into leaflets that act as one-way valves, a thin middle layer often containing smooth muscle, and a thin outer layer composed of fibrous connective tissue.

In contrast, the veins of the brain have no valves, and the largest venous channels in the brain are not veins but rather endothelial-lined spaces in the dura mater called 'dural sinuses' or 'venous sinuses'; dural sinuses receive blood from cerebral veins and deliver blood to other dural sinuses or to the internal jugular vein. accessory hemiazygos vein A vein running along the back wall of the upper thorax to the left of the thoracic aorta; at the level of the seventh thoracic vertebra, the accessory hemiazygos vein bends rightward, runs behind the aorta, and drains into the azygos vein. Tributaries of the accessory hemiazygos vein include the left superior intercostal veins, the upper left intercostal veins, and left bronchial veins. The patterns and interconnections of the azygos, hemiazygos, and accessory azygos veins are variable. adrenal vein The adrenal glands are supplied by three or more arteries on each side, but they are drained by only one right vein and one left vein.

On the right, the adrenal vein empties into the inferior vena cava; on the left, the adrenal vein empties into the left renal vein. Synonym: suprarenal vein angular vein Facial vein. anterior cardiac vein One of the small veins running up along the surface of the right ventricle of the heart and draining directly into the right atrium. anterior facial vein Facial vein. anterior jugular vein A neck vein that originates near the hyoid bone and descends vertically over the hyoid and infrahyoid strap muscles; behind the sternal head of the sternocleidomastoid muscle, the vein turns laterally and empties into the external jugular vein (or, sometimes, into the subclavian vein). anterior tibial vein A vein that drains blood from the lower leg and foot and that merges with the posterior tibial vein to form the popliteal vein in the popliteal fossa. See: illustration for illus.

ascending lumbar vein An anterior-posterior vein along the posterior abdominal wall that connects the common iliac, iliolumbar, and lumbar veins; it empties into the subcostal, azygos, hemiazygos, or first lumbar vein. axillary vein The continuation of the basilic vein in the upper arm; it accompanies the axillary artery and becomes the subclavian vein at the lateral border of the first rib. Tributaries of the axillary vein include the brachial, the cephalic, and the subscapular veins. See: illustration for illlus. azygos vein A vein running along the back wall of the thorax on the right side of the thoracic aorta; at the level of the fourth thoracic vertebra, the azygos vein curves forward, over the top of the hilum (root) of the right lung, and empties its blood into the superior vena cava. The azygos vein receives blood from the back wall of the trunk via the hemiazygos, accessory azygos, right superior intercostal, right intercostal, mediastinal, pericardial, right subcostal, and right ascending lumbar veins.

The patterns and interconnections of the azygos, hemiazygos, and accessory azygos veins are variable. basal vein A vein along the base of the brain that runs from the cavernous sinus, around the cerebral peduncle, and into the vein of Galen. Tributaries of the basal vein include the anterior cerebral, deep middle cerebral, and striate veins. basilic vein A superficial vein running along the lateral side of the upper limb. It begins in the dorsal veins of the hand, continues along the dorsal (posterior) medial side of the anterior forearm where it angles medially, and then passes over ventral (anterior) medial side of the elbow; in the antecubital fossa, it is joined by the median cubital vein, a branch of the cephalic vein. Approx. one third of the way up the medial surface of the arm, the basilic vein dives, alongside the medial edge of the biceps brachii muscle, to run alongside the brachial artery; when the brachial artery becomes the axillary artery, the basilic vein becomes the axillary vein. It is usually chosen for intravenous injection or withdrawal of blood.

brachial veins Either of a pair of veins that accompany the brachial artery into the upper arm (as venae comitantes) and then empty into the axillary vein. brachiocephalic vein The brachiocephalic vein is formed by the merger of the subclavian and internal jugular veins in the root of the neck. The right brachiocephalic vein is about 2.5 cm long and the left is about 6 cm long. The right and the left brachiocephalic veins join, behind the junction of the right border of the sternum and the right first costal cartilage, to form the superior vena cava. Tributaries of both brachiocephalic veins include the vertebral, internal mammary, and inferior thyroid veins; the left brachiocephalic vein also receives the left superior intercostal, thymic, and pericardial veins. See: illustration for illus.

bronchial vein Two right and two left bronchial veins collect systemic (deoxygenated) blood from the bronchi and other lung tissues and return it to the systemic venous pool via the azygos vein on the right and the accessory hemiazygos vein on the left. cardiac vein Any of the veins that run along the surface of the heart parallel to the coronary arteries, drain the heart muscle, and empty into the coronary sinus or the right atrium. See: coronary artery for illus. cardinal vein Along with the umbilical and the vitelline veins, the cardinal veins form one of the three venous systems of the early embryo. The cardinal veins return blood to the heart from the body of the embryo, and they are the precursors of the major thoracic veins, including the subclavian, brachiocephalic, azygos, internal jugular veins, and the superior vena cava. central vein See: dural sinus choroidal vein The vein that follows and drains the choroid plexuses in the cerebral ventricles. Outside the ventricles, it merges with the thalamostriate vein to form the internal cerebral vein.

circumflex iliac vein The vein accompanying the circumflex iliac artery; it empties into the external iliac vein. Synonym: deep circumflex iliac vein common iliac vein The vein accompanying the common iliac artery; it is formed by the union of the external and internal iliac veins, and it ends by merging with the opposite common iliac vein to form the inferior vena cava. The right iliac vein is shorter than the left. Tributaries of the common iliac vein include the iliolumbar, lateral sacral, and median sacral veins. cranial venous sinus vein Any of a group of veins between the two layers of the dura mater that drain blood and reabsorbed cerebrospinal fluid from the brain and join the internal jugular vein. cubital vein The superior or the inferior epigastric vein. external iliac vein The continuation of the femoral vein proximal to the inguinal ligament; it accompanies the external iliac artery, and it joins the internal iliac vein to form the common iliac vein. Tributaries of the external iliac vein include the inferior epigastric, deep circumflex iliac, and pubic veins.

external jugular vein A vein that drains blood from the scalp and face; it arises from the merger of the posterior facial and posterior auricular veins behind the angle of the mandible. The external jugular vein runs superficially down the neck, crossing the sternocleidomastoid muscle, to drain into the subclavian vein. Tributaries of the external jugular vein include the posterior external jugular, transverse cervical, suprascapular, and anterior jugular veins. See: illustrationand for illus. facial vein The facial vein runs at an angle, on each side of the face, from the bridge of the nose to halfway along the line of the jaw. The first tributaries of the facial vein include the supratrochlear, supraorbital, and superior ophthalmic veins (which drain the forehead and orbit); other tributaries include the nasal, deep facial, inferior palpebral, superior and inferior labial, buccinator, parotid, and masseteric veins.

Below the jaw and before emptying into the internal jugular vein (at the level of the hyoid bone in the neck), the facial vein receives blood from the submental, tonsillar, external palatine, and submandibular veins. There are no valves in the facial vein, and blood can move backwards into its tributaries, such as the deep facial vein; the deep facial vein is interconnected with the cavernous sinus inside the skull, and microbes from facial infections can use this route to reach intracranial veins. Synonym: angular vein; anterior facial vein femoral vein The vein that accompanies the femoral artery. The femoral vein is the continuation of the popliteal vein as it enters the adductor canal of the thigh. As it passes the inguinal ligament, the femoral vein becomes the external iliac vein. Tributaries of the femoral vein include the deep femoral (profunda femoris), the saphenous, and the lateral and medial circumflex femoral veins. vein of Galen See: Galen, Claudius gastric vein The left gastric, the right gastric, or a short gastric vein.

The left gastric vein drains much of the stomach and empties into the portal vein; tributaries of the left gastric vein include the esophageal veins. The right gastric vein is small, it drains the pyloric region of the stomach, and it empties into the portal vein. The 4-5 short gastric veins drain part of the greater curvature of the stomach and empty into the splenic vein. gastroepiploic vein The right and the left gastroepiploic veins accompany the gastroepiploic arteries; the right gastroepiploic vein drains into the splenic vein, while the left gastroepiploic vein drains into the superior mesenteric vein. great cardiac vein A large vein on the anterior surface of the heart; it runs in the anterior interventricular groove alongside the left anterior descending artery. It drains the same area of the heart that is supplied by the artery, and it also receives blood from the left marginal vein. The great cardiac vein follows the coronary sulcus to the left to empty into the coronary sinus on the posterior surface of the heart. great cerebral vein Brachiocephalic vein.

intercostal vein Any of the veins that accompany the intercostal arteries and drain blood from the walls of the chest. The upper intercostal vein empties into the ipsilateral brachiocephalic or vertebral vein. Intercostal veins 2-4 merge to form the superior intercostal vein, which drains into the azygos vein on the right and the accessory hemiazygos vein on the left. Lower intercostal veins drain directly into the azygos vein on the right and the hemiazygos vein on the left. Synonym: posterior intercostal vein internal cerebral vein A vein in each cerebral hemisphere formed by the merger of the thalamostriate and choroid veins; it drains the deep regions of the hemisphere. internal iliac vein The vein that accompanies the internal iliac artery; it merges with the external iliac vein to form the common iliac vein. Tributaries of the internal iliac vein include the gluteal, internal pudendal, obturator, lateral sacral, anterior sacral, middle rectal, vesical, uterine, and vaginal veins.

internal jugular vein A large vein in the neck, it drains the skull, brain, and parts of the face and neck. It originates in the jugular foramen at the base of the skull and descends vertically (behind the sternocleidomastoid muscle) in the carotid sheath. At its base, the internal jugular vein merges with the subclavian vein behind the clavicle to form the brachiocephalic vein. The internal jugular vein is forms in the base of the skull by the merger of the inferior petrosal and sigmoid sinuses. As the vein descends through the neck, tributary veins include the facial, lingual, pharyngeal, superior thyroid, and middle thyroid veins. The right internal jugular vein is often the blood vessel used for medical access to the central venous circulation and to the right side of the heart. internal mammary vein The vein accompanying the internal mammary artery. Synonym: mammary vein The dorsal or the deep lingual vein, both of which empty into the internal jugular vein. long saphenous vein The longest vein in the body, the long saphenous is the major superficial vein of the lower leg.

It begins in the venous plexus along the medial side of the foot, and it runs up the medial side of the leg and knee, alongside the saphenous nerve. In the thigh, the long saphenous vein continues up the medial surface, accompanying the medial femoral cutaneous nerve. Before reaching the inguinal ligament, the long saphenous vein slips under the deep fascia of the thigh through a tunnel called the saphenous opening; the vein then empties into the underlying femoral vein. Tributaries of the long saphenous vein include the posterior tibial, posteromedial thigh, anterolateral thigh, superficial epigastric, superficial circumflex iliac, and external pudendal veins. Synonym: great saphenous vein; greater saphenous vein lumbar vein Any of the four veins on each side of the body that run transversely and drain the posterior abdominal wall; they accompany the lumbar arteries. The lumbar veins, which are interconnected with each other and with the epigastric veins, empty into the inferior vena cava or the azygos vein.

mammary vein The inferior or the superior mesenteric vein. middle cardiac vein A large vein that runs in the posterior interventricular groove of the heart; it accompanies the posterior interventricular artery, and both vein and artery drain the same territory. The middle cardiac vein empties into the coronary sinus. middle thyroid vein A vein draining the lower part of the thyroid gland, the larynx, and the trachea; it empties into the internal jugular vein. oblique vein A slender vein that runs along the outer surface of the left atrium of the heart and that drains into the coronary sinus. Synonym: oblique vein of the left atrium oblique vein of the left atrium The vein that accompanies the obturator artery; it empties into the internal iliac vein. occipital vein The merger of a network of veins along the posterior scalp into a single vein, the occipital vein, which runs down the scalp and under the trapezius muscle. The occipital vein empties into some or all of these veins: the deep cervical, the vertebral, and the posterior auricular veins. ophthalmic vein The superior or the inferior ophthalmic vein.

The superior ophthalmic vein drains the upper portion of the orbit, while the inferior ophthalmic vein drains the lower portion; both veins empty into the cavernous sinus inside the skull. Both veins are valveless and anastomose with the facial vein thus interconnecting the extracranial and intracranial venous systems. ovarian vein In females, any of the veins that accompany the ovarian artery and that drain the ovary and Fallopian tube. Outside the broad ligament, the ovarian veins collect into two veins on each side of the body. These veins accompany the ovarian artery and merge into a single vein; the right ovarian vein then empties into the inferior cava (below the renal vein), while the left ovarian vein empties into the left renal vein. pancreatic vein Any of the veins that drain the body and tail of the pancreas; they empty into the splenic vein. pancreaticoduodenal vein The superior or the inferior pancreaticoduodenal veins, which accompany the arteries of the same name. Usually, the superior pancreaticoduodenal vein empties into the portal vein, while the inferior pancreaticoduodenal vein empties into the right gastroepiploic vein.

paraumbilical vein Any of the veins that connect the anterior abdominal wall with the portal vein. The paraumbilical veins begin in the region of the umbilicus, and they run in the ligamentum teres and the median umbilical ligament. popliteal vein The vein that accompanies the popliteal artery. It is formed by the merger of the anterior and posterior tibial veins, and it ends by becoming the femoral vein at the distal opening of the adductor canal. The short saphenous vein is a major tributary of the popliteal vein. portal vein The vein that brings most of the venous blood draining from the intestines to the liver. The portal vein originates as the merger of the superior mesenteric and splenic veins underneath the neck of the pancreas. It then passes under the duodenum and joins the common bile duct and the hepatic artery as they run inside the right edge of the lesser omentum, over the epiploic foramen, and into the liver via the porta hepatis. Tributaries of the portal vein include the left gastric, right gastric, paraumbilical, and cystic veins.

posterior facial vein A vein that begins as the merger of the superior temporal and the maxillary veins inside the parotid gland. The posterior facial vein divides into two branches: an anterior branch that empties into the facial vein, and a posterior branch that joins the posterior auricular vein to form the external jugular vein. Synonym: retromandibular vein Short saphenous vein. spermatic vein In males, the veins that accompany the testicular artery and that drain the testis and epididymis. In the spermatic cord, the spermatic veins form the pampiniform plexus. After emerging from the deep inguinal ring, the spermatic veins merge into two veins, which continue to accompany the testicular artery. Eventually, the two spermatic veins merge into a single vein on each side, and the right spermatic vein empties into the inferior cava (below the renal vein), while the left spermatic vein empties into the left renal vein. Synonym: testicular vein splenic vein A large vein that drains the spleen and empties into the portal vein. Tributaries of the splenic vein include the short gastric, left gastroepiploic, and pancreatic veins.

stellate veins See: Vesalius, Andreas vitelline vein Along with the umbilical and the cardinal veins, the vitelline veins form one of the three venous systems of the early embryo. The vitelline veins return blood from the yolk sac. These veins are the precursors of many of the gut veins, including the portal system, and are focal structures in the developing liver. vorticose vein Any of four veins (two superior and two inferior) that receive blood from all parts of the choroid of the eye. They empty into posterior ciliary and superior ophthalmic veins. innominate vein One of a pair of veins which drain the head and upper chest by way of the JUGULAR and SUBCLAVIAN veins. The two innominate veins join to form the SUPERIOR VENA CAVA .

Question: What are the name of the veins on each side of the neck which drain blood from the head and neck to larger veins passing to the heart?
Answer: Jugular