Thyroid veins

  • Superior thyroid vein
  • Middle thyroid vein
    • Crosses anterior to Common Carotid Artery
    • Drains into the Internal Jugular Vein
    • Early ligature and division of this vein during thyroid surgery facilitates mobilisation of the gland
  • Inferior Thyroid Vein
    • Drain downwards mainly into Left Brachiocephalic Vein – one may enter the Right Brachiocephalic Vein