Table 1.

Anatomical features of internal jugular vein.

Feature	Description
Embryology	Derivatives of the right and left anterior cardinal veins (week 8 of intrauterine life)1
Formation	Direct continuation of sigmoid sinus
Course	After exiting the jugular foramen, the IJV descends downwards in close proximity to the internal/common carotid arteries and the vagus nerve in the carotid sheath
Structure	Two dilated bulbs containing valves – superior (after exiting jugular foramen) and inferior (just before joining the subclavian vein is seen with its tributaries
Termination	Behind the sternal end of clavicle, the IJV joins the subclavian vein to form the brachiocephalic vein
Tributaries (all anterior)	1. Inferior petrosal sinus
	2. Pharyngeal vein
	3. Common facial vein
	4. Lingual vein
	5. Superior thyroid vein
	6. Middle thyroid vein
Surface landmarks	Band joining ear lobe to sternoclavicular joint