Multiple variations of superficial and deep veins in the neck region of a cadaver: a case report

Abstract

Multiple variations on the right side of the neck of a 65-year-old male cadaver were observed during a routine dissection. The cadaver had no sign of facial trauma or previous surgery. The facial vein had a communicating branch with the internal jugular vein and distally drained into the jugulo-subclavian confluence via a common trunk with external jugular vein. Other superficial veins of the neck drained into the brachiocephalic vein separately. On the contrary, no anatomical variation was observed on the left side. Even if the variations of the head and neck are common, more than one variation in a single cadaver unilaterally is remarkable. We suggest that it is important for surgeons to examine the patients with ultrasound before any clinical interventions on the neck to determine the possible variations beforehand.

Keywords

• external jugular vein
• internal jugular vein
• neck
• retromandibular vein
• variation

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