Anatomy
Course
Starts when the inferior petrosal sinus and sigmoid sinus come together. It leaves the cranium via the jugular foramen and descends lateral to the internal and common carotid arteries. On both sides, it joins the subclavian veins to form the brachiocephalic veins.
Drain
Drains blood from the brain, neck and superficial face.
Clinical
There is only a single pair of valves that separate the right atrium from the internal jugular vein. As a result, when there is increased atrial pressure, blood can flow back into the internal jugular. This can be seen as a pulsation in the neck and is clinically defined as a raised jugular venous pressure (JVP).
Several conditions would result in a raised JVP including cardiac tamponade, tricuspid stenosis or regurgitation as well as right ventricular failure.
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