INTERNAL JUGULAR VEIN

 INTERNAL JUGULAR VEIN

Introduction:-

Internal jugular vein is a paired largest vein found within the carotid sheath along with common carotid artery and vagus nerve on either side of the neck.

Origin:-

It begins as the direct continuation of the sigmoid sinus base of the skull below the jugular foramen.

However, it's origin is demarcated by a dilation called the superior bulb of internal jugular vein (related to the floor of the middle ear).

Coarse:-

Internal jugular vein passes through the jugular foramen with

Glossopharyngeal nerve

Vagus nerve

Accessory nerve

Termination:-

Traverses the carotid sheath, descending in a nearby vertical fashion downwards to end behind the sternal end of the clavicle by joining the subclavicular vein to form the brachiocephalic vein.

Prior to its termination, the Internal jugular vein features a terminal dilation called inferior bulb.

Relations:-

1. Deep or posterior relations

Rectus capitis lateralis

Transverse process of atlas

Levator scapulae

Scalenus medius 

Scalenus anterior 

First part of vertebral artery 

First part of subclavian artery 

Sternocleidomastoid 

2. Superficial 

Sternocleidomastoid

Superior belly of omohyoid

Posterior belly of digastric

Occipital artery

Posterior auricular artery 

Anterior jugular vein 

Styloid process

Descendens cervicalis

Internal carotid artery 

9, 10, 11, 12 cranial nerve

3. Medial relations 

Internal carotid artery 

9, 10, 11, 12 cranial nerve 

Common carotid artery

Vagus nerve 

Tributaries:-

First Tributary - inferior petrosal sinus

Pharyngeal vein 

Common facial vein 

Lingual vein

Superior thyroid vein

Middle thyroid vein 

Occipital vein