External jugular vein

At a glance

English

External jugular vein

Latin (TA2)

Vena iugularis externa

System

Vein

Region

Head

Side

Paired, left and right

About the external jugular vein

The external jugular vein drains much of the outside of the skull and the deeper facial tissues. It forms inside the lower end of the parotid gland, at about the level of the angle of the mandible, where the retromandibular vein's posterior division meets the posterior auricular vein. From there it runs almost straight down the neck, roughly along a line from the jaw angle to the midpoint of the clavicle.

On the way it crosses sternocleidomastoid obliquely, separated from the muscle by the investing deep fascia of the neck, with only platysma, superficial fascia and skin over it. Its upper half lies parallel to the great auricular nerve, and it crosses the transverse cervical nerve. Above the clavicle it pierces the deep fascia roofing the posterior triangle and opens into the subclavian vein in front of or just lateral to scalenus anterior and outside the point where the subclavian and internal jugular veins meet.

Its tributaries include the posterior external jugular vein, sometimes the occipital vein, and close to its end the transverse cervical, suprascapular and anterior jugular veins. Within the parotid it often receives a communicating branch from the internal jugular vein. It carries two pairs of valves, one at its entry into the subclavian vein and another a few centimetres higher; the stretch between them is often widened, but the valves do not fully stop backflow. Its size varies inversely with the other neck veins, and it may be double.

Because it lies just under the skin, the vein can be seen when venous pressure is high or when a person strains, and it is used for venous access in emergencies when no limb vein can be found. A clinician managing the airway at the head can place a cannula here without moving. Guidelines still prefer an arm vein where possible.

Course and drainage

Begins at

Formed in the lower parotid gland, near the angle of the mandible, by the posterior auricular vein and the hinder division of the retromandibular vein.

Drains into

Opens into the subclavian vein above the clavicle, in front of or just lateral to scalenus anterior.

Drains

Drains the scalp and outer skull behind the ear, the deep face, and the superficial neck and shoulder.