Jugular vein

Internal and external

• The internal jugular vein is formed by the anastomosis of blood from the sigmoid sinus of the dura mater and the common facial vein. The internal jugular runs with the common carotid artery and vagus nerve inside the carotid sheath. It provides venous drainage for the contents of the skull.
• The external jugular runs superficially to sternocleidomastoid.

Both connect to the brachocephalic veins, the external jugular joining more laterally than the internal. The brachicephalic veins then join the subclavian veins from both sides then join to form the superior vena cava.

There is also another, minor, jugular vein, the anterior jugular vein, draining the submaxillary region.

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