The posterior auricular vein is a
vein
Veins () are blood vessels in the circulatory system of humans and most other animals that carry blood towards the heart. Most veins carry deoxygenated blood from the tissues back to the heart; exceptions are those of the pulmonary and feta ...
of the
head
A head is the part of an organism which usually includes the ears, brain, forehead, cheeks, chin, eyes, nose, and mouth, each of which aid in various sensory functions such as sight, hearing, smell, and taste. Some very simple ani ...
. It begins from a plexus with the
occipital vein and the
superficial temporal vein, descends behind the
auricle, and drains into the
external jugular vein.
Structure
The posterior auricular vein begins upon the side of the head, in a
plexus which communicates with the tributaries of the
occipital vein and the
superficial temporal vein. It descends behind the
auricle.
It joins the posterior division of the
retromandibular vein.
It drains into the
external jugular vein.
It receive the
stylomastoid vein, and some tributaries from the cranial surface of the auricle.
Variation
The posterior auricular vein may drain into the
internal jugular vein
The internal jugular vein is a paired jugular vein that collects blood from the brain and the superficial parts of the face and neck. This vein runs in the carotid sheath with the common carotid artery and vagus nerve.
It begins in the posteri ...
or a posterior jugular vein if there are variations in the
external jugular vein.
Clinical significance
Skin from the auriculomastoid region of the head may be grafted as a flap, keeping the posterior auricular vein with it.
References
External links
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Veins of the head and neck