External jugular vein pierced by supraclavicular branches in a neonatal cadaver: a case report

Abstract

Anatomical variations in the venous structure and drainage patterns in the neck are not uncommon. However, this is the first known report on the external jugular vein being pierced by supraclavicular branches. In the lateral cervical region of a neonatal cadaver, the supraclavicular branches penetrated the external jugular vein superior to the clavicle, resulting in a circular venous channel formed around the nerve trunk. Variations such as these are important to note in order to minimize possible intra-operative complications sustained during surgical interventions such as venous catherization or nerve grafts.

Anatomical Variations of the External Jugular Vein: A Pictorial and Critical Review

“…Cvetko (2013) reported a case in which the cervical branch of the facial nerve coursed through a fenestrated EJV to reach the punctum nervosum; the anterior arm of that fenestration was joined to the AJV by a transverse communicating vein [ 50 ]. Additionally, the transverse cervical and supraclavicular nerves were found coursing through fenestrations of EJVs [ 46 , 47 , 56 , 57 ]. However, EJV fenestrations could be as well empty [ 52 ].…”