Venous arrangement of the head and neck in humans - anatomic variability and its clinical inferences

Abstract

Introduction: The knowledge of morphological variations of the veins of the head and neck is essential for health professionals, both for diagnostic procedures as for clinical and surgical planning. This study described changes in the following structures: retromandibular vein and its divisions, including the relationship with the facial nerve, facial vein, common facial vein and jugular veins. Material and Methods: The variations of the veins were analyzed in three heads, five hemi-heads (right side) and two hemi-heads (left side) of unknown age and sex. Results: The changes only on the right side of the face were: union between the superficial temporal and maxillary veins at a lower level; absence of the common facial vein and facial vein draining into the external jugular vein. While on the left, only, it was noted: posterior division of retromandibular, after unite with the common facial vein, led to the internal jugular vein; union between the posterior auricular and common facial veins to form the external jugular and union between posterior auricular and common facial veins to terminate into internal jugular. The absence of the anterior and posterior divisions of retromandibular vein was observed on both sides of the face. Conclusion: These findings provide relevant informations about important vessels of the head and neck and will contribute to the appropriate clinical and / or surgical planning, aiming at the preservation of important structures.

Variation in the formation of the retromandibular and the external jugular veins with embryological overview: A case report

“…When undivided, it had continued as EJV or contributed to form EJV by uniting with the posterior auricular vein. In such a situation, it was reported that the FV drained into the EJV in the neck [ 12 ]. In the present case report, we observed an unusual formation of RMV by the union of superficial temporal.…”

Unilateral external jugular vein fenestration with variant anatomy of the retromandibular and facial vein

“…The awareness of anomalous venous patterns in the region of H&N is essential for the surgeons performing intraoperative microvascular surgeries to avoid unnecessary bleeding. Among the superficial veins of H&N, the EJV is reported to exemplify numerous variations that affect its size, form, course, tributaries, drainage, and termination [8].…”

Anastomose Entre Jugulares Externas Direita E Esquerda: Um Relato De Caso

“…1 Como a maioria dos cateterismos venosos e acessos são inseridos utilizando-se marcos anatômicos, mesmo variações anatômicas simples podem dificultar e até mesmo impossibilitar procedimentos envolvendo a VJE, sendo também causa de complicações -assim como inexperiência do profissional e marcos anatômicos imprecisos e difíceis de reconhecer. 3,4,14 A anastomose entre as veias jugulares direita e esquerda é rara e não está descrita na literatura e, por isso, essa variação deve alertar clínicos e cirurgiões que eventualmente realizem procedimentos invasivos no pescoço para evitar lesões inadvertidas.…”

“…1,2 A respeito de sua formação, a VJE usualmente é formada pela união da divisão posterior da veia retromandibular com a veia auricular posterior. 3 Ela inicia-se na substância da parótida e desce perpendicularmente pelo pescoço, em direção a uma linha que une o ângulo da mandíbula e o ponto médio da clavícula. Em seu curso, a veia cruza o músculo esternocleidomastoideo (ECM), e corre paralelamente a sua parte posterior até sua inserção na clavícula.…”