Clinical anatomy of External jugular vein

 

Clinical anatomy of External jugular vein

Formation: it  is typically formed by the union of the posterior division of the retromandibular vein and the posterior auricular vein

Location : near the mandibular angle, just below or within the parotid gland

Relation : It descends obliquely in the neck, superficial to the sternocleidomastoid muscle, before draining into the subclavian vein

Variations : Variations include duplication, fenestration, aberrant origin or course, hypoplasia, and absence of the EJV

Understanding the anatomy and variations of the EJV is crucial for surgeons to avoid complications during invasive procedures in the neck region, such as central venous catheterization, tracheostomy, and neck dissections

Clinical Importance

•       In cardiac arrest patients, the EJV is frequently used for venous access in emergency situations when other peripheral veins cannot be easily accessed, such as in cardiac arrest patients

•       Distension of the EJV (jugular venous distension) can be a sign of conditions like congestive heart failure, cardiac tamponade, pulmonary hypertension or superior vena cava obstruction

•       The EJV is frequently used in head and neck microvascular surgery as a recipient vessel for free flaps