Sun28November0628PM 5

Are the following true or false with regard to the anatomy of the internal jugular veins?

True / False

The right is shorter than the left internal jugular vein Correct

It joins the subclavian vein to form the brachiocephalic vein Incorrect answer selected

It receives blood from the middle thyroid vein Correct

It lies posterior to the vagus nerve Incorrect answer selected

It lies lateral to the common carotid artery Correct

Explanation

The internal jugular veins (IJV) are a continuation of the transverse sinuses (running in a groovealong the interior surface of the occipital bone) and then the sigmoid sinus (beneath the temporal bone), beginning in the jugular foramen, in the posterior compartment of the skull.

Tributaries:

The inferior petrosal sinus, the common facial, lingual, pharyngeal, superior and middle thyroid veins, and sometimes the occipital vein drain into the IJVs. 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.

Course:

At its origin it is somewhat dilated, 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 brachiocephalic (innominate vein). A little above its termination is a second dilatation, the inferior bulb.

Relations:

Above, it lies upon the rectus capitis lateralis, behind the internal carotid artery and the nerves passing through the jugular foramen. 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.

The left IJV is generally shorter than the right, and each contains a pair of valves, which are placed about 2.5 cm above the termination of the vessel.

Reference:

Gray's Anatomy of the Human Body. The Veins of the Neck.

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