20.10a Primary Veins

What are the three primary veins of the head and neck?

Vertebral vein, external jugular vein, and internal jugular vein.

Where does the vertebral vein drain?

Into the subclavian vein.

What does the external jugular vein drain?

Superficial structures of the head and neck.

Where does the external jugular vein empty?

Into the subclavian vein.

What does the internal jugular vein drain?

Blood from the cranial cavity.

What happens when the internal jugular vein joins the subclavian vein?

They form the brachiocephalic vein.

Why are these veins important?

They return blood from the head and neck to the heart.

What is the overall venous drainage pathway from the head and neck?

Vertebral/external/internal jugular veins → subclavian vein → brachiocephalic vein.