Variations of the external and internal jugular veins: A fetal study

P. Pillay, S. Ishwarkumar, K. S. Satyapal

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

3 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

The external jugular vein (EJV) is formed by the union of the posterior division of the retromandibular vein and posterior auricular vein, while the internal jugular vein (IJV) is a continuation of the sigmoid sinus. A number of variations in the formation, lengths and drainage patterns of EJV and IJV have been documented in adults, however there is a paucity of literature regarding fetal studies. This study aimed to highlight variation patterns of external and internal jugular veins in 40 fetuses (n=80). This study included the bilaterally dissection of the neck region in 40 fetuses between the gestational ages of 15-28 weeks at the University of KwaZulu-Natal as per Grants Dissector. This study observed three variations in the pattern of the EJV and IJV. With regard to the EJV, duplication occurred on the sternocleidomastoid muscle in 4 % of the specimens sampled in this study, which concurred to a study conducted by Olabu et al. (2015) in a Kenyan sample. The “Y-shaped” IJV occurred in 1 % of the specimens, however the “Y-shaped” IJV gave off a tributary to the EJV in 3 % of the specimens sampled in this study. Lalwani et al. (2006) stated a rare venous communication between the EJV and IJV. The knowledge of the variable patterns of the external and internal jugular veins are important to clinicians performing micro-vascular surgeries in head and neck region.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)145-148
Number of pages4
JournalInternational Journal of Morphology
Volume36
Issue number1
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - Mar 2018
Externally publishedYes

Keywords

  • Anatomical variation
  • External jugular vein
  • Fetal
  • Internal jugular vein

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Anatomy

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