Upper limb
External jugular vein
Vena jugularis externa
- Origin
- Formed behind the angle of the mandible by the union of posterior auricular and retromandibular veins
- Insertion
- Descends obliquely across the sternocleidomastoid muscle to empty into the subclavian vein
- Function
- Drains venous blood from the scalp, face, and superficial cervical regions
- Innervation
- Sympathetic vasomotor fibers
- Movement & chain
- Crosses the superficial surface of sternocleidomastoid; engorges with elevated intrathoracic pressure
- Palpation
- Prominently visible in the lateral neck during Valsalva maneuver or recumbent positioning
- Clinical
- Jugular venous distension (JVD) indicative of right heart failure or tamponade; risk of air embolism in penetrating neck trauma
- Segmental innervation
- Superficial systemic cervical drainage
- In clinical practice
- Used for clinical estimation of central venous pressure (CVP) and as an emergency peripheral access route
- Region in the model
- Upper limb