Internal Jugular Vein

Internal Jugular Vein

The Internal Jugular Vein (In-ter-nal Ju-gu-lar Vein) is a major blood vessel in the neck that carries blood from the head and neck back to the heart.

Etymology

The term "jugular" is derived from the Latin word "jugulum" which means throat or neck. The term "internal" is used to differentiate this vein from the External Jugular Vein, which is located more superficially in the neck.

Anatomy

The Internal Jugular Vein begins in the Cranium, at the base of the skull, and runs down the neck, alongside the Carotid Artery. It drains blood from the brain, face, and neck. The vein then continues down into the chest where it joins the Subclavian Vein to form the Brachiocephalic Vein, which eventually drains into the Superior Vena Cava, the main vein that leads to the heart.

Related Terms

• External Jugular Vein
• Carotid Artery
• Subclavian Vein
• Brachiocephalic Vein
• Superior Vena Cava

See Also

• Vein
• Blood Vessel
• Circulatory System

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