| Anterior jugular vein | |
|---|---|
 The veins of the neck, viewed from in front (anterior jugular visible at center) | |
 Veins of the head and neck (anterior jugular visible at bottom right) | |
| Details | |
| Drains to | External jugular vein |
| Identifiers | |
| Latin | vena jugularis anterior [1] |
| TA98 | A12.3.05.047 |
| TA2 | 4959 |
| FMA | 13318 |
| Anatomical terminology | |
 | This section may require cleanup to meet Wikipedia's quality standards. The specific problem is: The information is factual, but is poorly organised.(January 2021) |
The anterior jugular vein lies lateral to the cricothyroid ligament. [2] It begins near the hyoid bone by the confluence of several superficial veins from the submandibular region. [1] Its tributaries are some laryngeal veins, and occasionally a small thyroid vein. [1] It descends between the median line and the anterior border of the sternocleidomastoid muscle, and, at the lower part of the neck, passes beneath that muscle to open into the termination of the external jugular vein, or, in some instances, into the subclavian vein. [1] Just above the sternum the two anterior jugular veins communicate by a transverse trunk, the venous jugular arch, which receive tributaries from the inferior thyroid veins; each also communicates with the internal jugular. [1]
There are no valves in this vein. [1]
The pretracheal lymph nodes follow the anterior jugular vein on each side of the midline. [3]
The anterior jugular vein varies considerably in size, bearing usually an inverse proportion to the external jugular. [1] Most frequently, there are two anterior jugulars, a right and left. [1] [4] However, there is sometimes only one. [1]
A duplicate anterior jugular vein may be present on one side, which may cross over the midline.
The anterior jugular vein, if present, is easily identified using ultrasound of the neck. [5]
The anterior jugular vein may be damaged during tracheotomy, causing significant bleeding. [6] [7] [8] The significant variation in vein course, such as duplicate veins, creates this risk. [4] Performing a midline incision helps to avoid the anterior jugular vein. [7] [8]
In human anatomy, the subclavian arteries are paired major arteries of the upper thorax, below the clavicle. They receive blood from the aortic arch. The left subclavian artery supplies blood to the left arm and the right subclavian artery supplies blood to the right arm, with some branches supplying the head and thorax. On the left side of the body, the subclavian comes directly off the aortic arch, while on the right side it arises from the relatively short brachiocephalic artery when it bifurcates into the subclavian and the right common carotid artery.
In human anatomy, the spinal canal, vertebral canal or spinal cavity is an elongated body cavity enclosed within the dorsal bony arches of the vertebral column, which contains the spinal cord, spinal roots and dorsal root ganglia. It is a process of the dorsal body cavity formed by alignment of the vertebral foramina. Under the vertebral arches, the spinal canal is also covered anteriorly by the posterior longitudinal ligament and posteriorly by the ligamentum flavum. The potential space between these ligaments and the dura mater covering the spinal cord is known as the epidural space. Spinal nerves exit the spinal canal via the intervertebral foramina under the corresponding vertebral pedicles.
The omohyoid muscle is a muscle in the neck. It is one of the infrahyoid muscles. It consists of two bellies separated by an intermediate tendon. Its inferior belly is attached to the scapula; its superior belly is attached to the hyoid bone. Its intermediate tendon is anchored to the clavicle and first rib by a fascial sling. The omohyoid is innervated by the ansa cervicalis of the cervical plexus. It acts to depress the hyoid bone.
The celiacartery, also known as the celiac trunk or truncus coeliacus, is the first major branch of the abdominal aorta. It is about 1.25 cm in length. Branching from the aorta at thoracic vertebra 12 (T12) in humans, it is one of three anterior/ midline branches of the abdominal aorta.
The subclavian vein is a paired large vein, one on either side of the body, that is responsible for draining blood from the upper extremities, allowing this blood to return to the heart. The left subclavian vein plays a key role in the absorption of lipids, by allowing products that have been carried by lymph in the thoracic duct to enter the bloodstream. The diameter of the subclavian veins is approximately 1–2 cm, depending on the individual.
The cricothyroid ligament is a ligament in the neck. It connects the cricoid cartilage to the thyroid cartilage. It prevents these cartilages from moving too far apart. It is cut during an emergency cricothyrotomy to treat upper airway obstruction.
The platysma muscle is a superficial muscle of the human neck that overlaps the sternocleidomastoid. It covers the anterior surface of the neck superficially. When it contracts, it produces a slight wrinkling of the neck, and a "bowstring" effect on either side of the neck.
The psoas minor muscle is a long, slender skeletal muscle. When present, it is located anterior to the psoas major muscle.
The suprasternal notch, also known as the fossa jugularis sternalis, jugular notch, or Plender gap, is a large, visible dip in between the neck in humans, between the clavicles, and above the manubrium of the sternum.
The carotid sheath is a condensation of the deep cervical fascia enveloping multiple vital neurovascular structures of the neck, including the common and internal carotid arteries, the internal jugular vein, the vagus nerve, and ansa cervicalis. The carotid sheath helps protects the structures contained therein.
Postural drainage (PD) is the drainage of lung secretions using gravity. It is used to treat a variety of conditions that cause the build-up of secretions in the lungs.
The supraspinous ligament, also known as the supraspinal ligament, is a ligament found along the vertebral column.
The thyrohyoid membrane is a broad, fibro-elastic sheet of the larynx. It connects the upper border of the thyroid cartilage to the hyoid bone.
The lingual artery arises from the external carotid artery between the superior thyroid artery and facial artery. It can be located easily in the tongue.
The retromandibular vein is a major vein of the face. It is formed within the parotid gland by the confluence of the maxillary vein, and superficial temporal vein. It descends in the gland and splits into two branches upon emerging from the gland. Its anterior branch then joins the (anterior) facial vein forming the common facial vein, while its posterior branch joins the posterior auricular vein forming the external jugular vein.
The right lymphatic duct is an important lymphatic vessel that drains the right upper quadrant of the human body. It forms various combinations with the right subclavian vein and right internal jugular vein.
Beneath the neck of the radius, on the medial side, is an eminence, the radial tuberosity; its surface is divided into:
The supraglenoid tubercle is a region of the scapula from which the long head of the biceps brachii muscle originates. It is a small, rough projection superior to the glenoid cavity near the base of the coracoid process. The term supraglenoid is from the Latin supra, meaning above, and glenoid, meaning socket or cavity.
The linea semilunaris is a curved tendinous intersection found on either side of the rectus abdominis muscle.
The pretracheal lymph nodes are lymph nodes located anterior to the trachea in the neck.
One or more of the preceding sentences incorporates text in the public domain from page 647 of the 20th edition of Gray's Anatomy (1918)
