Quick Facts
Origin: Occipital region of the scalp.
Course: Passes superficially over the posterior triangle to drain into the external jugular vein.
Tributaries: None.
Drainage: Scalp overlying the occipital region.
Related parts of the anatomy
Origin
The posterior jugular vein forms from the confluence of several superficial veins in the occipital region of the scalp.
Course
The posterior jugular vein descends obliquely along the anterior border of the sternocleidomastoid muscle, then passes superficially over the posterior triangle of the neck. It usually drains into the external jugular vein, by may drain into the internal jugular vein, jugular venous arch, or brachiocephalic vein.
Tributaries
There are no named tributaries.
Structures Drained
The posterior jugular vein drains venous blood from skin, subcutaneous tissue, and superficial muscles in the posterosuperior neck and posterior scalp region.
Learn more about this topic from other Elsevier products
Jugular Vein
swelling of the jugular vein or veins of the neck, upper extremities, and thorax (can be attributable to compression from a mediastinal tumor or aneurysm)
