Venius drainage of the head and nck

Question 1

what are the dural venous sinius

Answer 1

The dural venous sinuses are spaces between the periosteal and meningeal layers of dura mater, which are lined by endothelial cells. They collect venous blood from the veins that drain the brain and bony skull, and ultimately drain into the internal jugular vein.

Question 2

deesribe the IJV

Answer 2

The internal jugular vein (IJV) begins in the cranial cavity, as a continuation of the sigmoid sinus (see dural venous sinuses below). The initial part of the IJV is dilated, and is known as the superior bulb. The vein exits the skull via the jugular foramen.

In the neck, the internal jugular vein descends within the carotid sheath, deep to the sternocleidomastoid, and lateral to the common carotid artery. At the bottom of the neck, posteriorly to the sternal end of the clavicle, the IVJ combines with the subclavian vein to form the brachiocephalic vein. Immediately before its termination, the inferior end of internal jugular vein dilates, to form the inferior bulb of the IJV. It has a valve that stops back-flow of blood.

During its descent down the neck, the internal jugular vein receives blood from the facial, lingual, occipital, superior and middle thyroid veins. These veins drain blood from the anterior face, trachea, thyroid, oesophagus, larynx, and muscles of the neck.

Question 3

desribe the anterior juj vein

Answer 3

The anterior jugular veins vary from person to person. They are paired veins, which drain the anterior aspect of the neck. Often they will communicate via a jugular venous arch. The anterior jugular veins descend down the midline of the neck, emptying into the subclavian vein.

Question 4

what are the 3 main juj veins and what is their role

Answer 4

external, internal and anterior. They are ultimately responsible for the venous drainage of the whole head and neck.

Question 5

desribe the role of the exj

Answer 5

The external jugular vein and its tributaries supply the majority of the external face. It is formed by the union of two veins:

Posterior auricular vein – drains the area of scalp superior and posterior to the outer ear.
Retromandibular vein (posterior branch) – itself formed by the maxillary and superficial temporal veins, which drain the face.
These two veins combine immediately posterior to the angle of mandible, and inferior to the outer ear, forming the external jugular vein.

After formation, the external jugular vein descends down the neck within the superficial fascia. It runs anteriorly to the sternocleidomastoid muscle, crossing it in an oblique, posterior and inferior direction.

In the root of the neck, the vein passes underneath the clavicle, and terminates by draining into the subclavian vein. Along its route down the neck, the EJV receives tributary veins – posterior external jugular, transverse cervical and suprascapular veins.

Question 6

how is drainage o the head and neck divided anatomicaly

Answer 6

Venous drainage of the brain and meninges: Supplied by the dural venous sinuses.
Venous drainage of the scalp and face: Drained by veins synonymous with the arteries of the face and scalp. These empty into the internal and external jugular veins.
Venous drainage of the neck: Carried out by the anterior jugular veins.