- Formation
- Formed by the union of the posterior division of the retromandibular vein and the posterior auricular vein
- Typically forms just below or at the angle of the mandible, near the inferior end of the parotid gland - Course
- Descends obliquely across the sternocleidomastoid (SCM) muscle
- Lies deep to platysma, but superficial to SCM
- Pierces the investing layer of deep cervical fascia near the posterior border of SCM
- Terminates in the subclavian vein, just lateral to the junction with the internal jugular vein - Tributaries
- Posterior external jugular vein (from skin over the posterior neck)
- Transverse cervical vein
- Suprascapular vein
- Anterior jugular vein (occasionally via a communicating branch)
- Occipital vein (occasionally) - Relations
- Crosses superficially over SCM
- Lies deep to platysma and skin
- Pierces the investing fascia in the posterior triangle before draining into the subclavian vein
- Variable connection with the anterior jugular vein via a transverse jugular arch
