Anterior Neck - LO3

3. Diagram the superficial veins. Understand the drainage patterns. These veins will drain into which larger and deeper veins?

The superficial veins of the neck, named for their relative position to the deep fascia of the neck, are extremely inconstant in size, appearance, and connection. There are two major superficial veins of the neck: the external jugular v. & anterior jugular v.

The external jugular v. (EJV) is typically the most obvious superficial vein in the neck. The EJV is formed by the junction of the posterior division of the retromandibular v. and the posterior auricular v. The EJV runs superficial to the sternocleidomastoid muscle (SCM), and drains into the subclavian v. lateral and deep to the SCM.

The anterior jugular v. is formed from the coalescence of the superficial submandibular vv. The anterior jugular v. descends anterior to the superficial infrahyoid mm., often nestling under the SCM before draining into the EJV or the subclavian v. directly. The anterior jugular v. is valveless.