As you know, for the normal functioning of the brain, a certain amount of oxygen, glucose and other substances is necessary. This explains the presence of a developed network of arteries that carry blood to the tissues. The timely outflow of fluid is very important, so it is worth exploring the main veins of the head and neck.
Many people are interested in more information. What are the features of the anatomy of the head and neck? Which vessels provide blood sampling from different parts of the brain? In what cases do doctors recommend an ultrasound of veins? What are the complications of a violation of normal blood flow in the veins? Answers to these questions will be useful to many readers.
Anatomy of the head and neck: a brief summary
First, consider the general information. Before studying the veins of the head and neck, you can familiarize yourself with the anatomical features.
As you know, the head is located at the top of the spinal column. The occipital bone of the skull articulates with the atlas (first cervical vertebra) in the region of the occipital foramen. The spinal cord passes through this opening - the structure of the skeleton ensures the integrity of the central nervous system.
The skeleton of the head and neck consists of a skull, cervical spine, auditory ossicles, hyoid bone. The skull itself is conditionally divided into parts:
- the cerebral part (consists of the frontal, occipital ethmoid, sphenoid, as well as paired temporal and parietal bones) ;
- front part (consists of the opener, lower jaw, as well as paired zygomatic, palatine, maxillary, lacrimal, nasal bones).
The skeleton is covered with muscles that provide flexion, rotation and extension of the neck. Of course, considering the anatomical features, one cannot but mention the nerves, brain, glands, blood vessels, and other structures. By the way, we will examine the veins of the head and neck more closely.
Internal jugular vein
This is a fairly large vessel that collects blood from almost all areas of the neck and head. It begins at the level of the jugular opening and is a direct continuation of the sigmoid sinus.
A little below the source of the vessel there is a small formation with widened walls - this is the superior bulb of the jugular vein. This vessel runs along the internal carotid artery, and then passes behind the common carotid artery (this vessel lies in the same fascial vagina as the carotid artery, vagus nerve). A little higher than the place where the jugular vein merges with the subclavian, there is another extension with two valves - this is the lower bulb.
Blood flows from the entire system of sinuses of the dura mater into the sigmoid sinus, in which, in fact, this vessel begins . In turn, cerebral veins, as well as labyrinth vessels and ophthalmic veins, carry blood to them.
Diploic veins
These are wide vessels with thin walls. Valves are absent in them. Vessels begin in the area of the spongy substance of the cranial vault and collect blood from the inner surface of the bones. Inside the cranial cavity, these veins communicate with the sinuses of the hard membrane and meningeal vessels. Outside the skull, these vessels connect to the veins of the outer integument.
The frontal veins are the largest diploic vessels - they flow into the sagittal sinus. The anterior temporal vein, which carries blood to the sphenoid-parietal sinus, belongs to the same group. There are also posterior temporal and occipital diploic veins that flow into the emissary vessels.
Features of blood flow through emissary vessels
Emissive veins provide the connection of the sinuses of the dura mater with the vessels located in the tissues outside the skull. By the way, these vessels pass through small bone valves and go outside the skull, where they communicate with other vessels.
- The parietal emissary vein, which connects the superior sagittal sinus to the external vessels. Their skull she goes through the parietal opening.
- The mastoid emissary vein exits through the opening of the mastoid process. It connects the sigmoid sinus with the occipital vein.
- The condylar vein leaves the skull through the condyle canal (it is part of the occipital bone).
Brief description of the upper and lower ophthalmic veins
The superior ophthalmic vein is larger. It includes vessels in which blood flows from the tissues of the forehead, nose, upper eyelid, membranes and muscles of the eyeball. At approximately the level of the medial angle of the eye, this vessel communicates with the facial vein through an anastomosis.
Blood flows from the vessels of the lower eyelid and neighboring muscles of the eye into the lower vein. This vessel passes along the lower wall of the orbit, almost under the optic nerve, and then flows into the superior optic vein, which carries blood to the cavernous sinus.
Extracranial tributaries
The internal jugular vein is quite large and collects blood from many vessels.
- The pharyngeal veins that collect blood from the pharyngeal plexus. In this vascular structure, blood is collected from the tissues of the pharynx, auditory tube, occipital part of the dura mater, soft palate. By the way, the pharyngeal vessels are small and have no valves.
- Lingual vein, which is formed by the sublingual, deep and paired dorsal veins of the tongue. These structures collect blood from the tissues of the tongue.
- The thyroid vein (superior), which collects blood from the sternocleidomastoid and superior laryngeal veins.
- The facial vein communicates with the internal jugular at the level of the hyoid bone. This vessel collects blood from almost all facial tissues. Small vessels flow into it, including the chin, supraorbital, angular, external palatine and deep veins of the face. Blood flows from paired vessels, including the upper and lower labial, external nasal, as well as the veins of the parotid gland, upper and lower eyelids.
- The mandibular vein is considered a sufficiently large vessel. It begins in the auricle, passes through the parotid gland, and then flows into the internal jugular vein. This vessel collects blood from the pterygoid plexus, veins of the middle ear, as well as the middle, superficial and deep temporal vessels, veins of the temporomandibular joint, anterior ear veins.
Features of blood flow through the external jugular vein
This vessel is formed by the merger of two tributaries, namely:
- anterior inflow (it forms an anastomosis with a mandibular vein);
- posterior (this inflow collects blood from the occipital and posterior ear veins).
The external jugular vein is formed approximately at the front edge of the sternocleidomastoid muscle. From here, it follows the front surface of the muscle, perforates the plate of the cervical fascia and flows into the confluence of the internal jugular and subclavian veins. This vessel has two paired valves. By the way, he also collects blood from the suprascapular and transverse veins of the neck.
Anterior jugular vein
Examining the superficial veins of the head and neck, one cannot but mention the anterior jugular vein. It is formed from small vessels collecting blood from the tissues of the chin region, follows down the front of the neck, and then penetrates into the space above the sternum.
At this point, the left and right veins are connected through a transverse anastomosis, resulting in a jugular venous arch. On both sides of the arch flows into the external jugular veins (left and right, respectively).
Subclavian vessel
The subclavian vein is an unpaired vessel that starts from the axillary vein. This vessel passes along the surface of the anterior scalene muscle. It starts from approximately at the level of the first rib, and ends behind the sternoclavicular joint. It is here that he flows into the internal jugular vein. At the beginning and end of the subclavian vessel are valves that regulate blood flow.
By the way, this vein has no permanent tributaries. Most often, blood from the dorsal scapular and thoracic venous vessels enters it.
As you can see, the tissues of the neck and head have a highly developed venous network, which ensures the timely outflow of venous blood. Nevertheless, in case of disruption of the work of certain organs, the natural blood flow may be impaired.
When is ultrasound necessary?
You already know how the veins of the head and neck work. Of course, a violation of the outflow of blood is fraught with congestion and dangerous complications, which primarily affect the functioning of the central nervous system. If you suspect a variety of circulatory disorders, doctors recommend an examination. And ultrasound veins today is one of the simplest, most accessible and informative tests.
In what cases are patients sent for a similar procedure? Indications are as follows:
- periodically occurring dizziness;
- frequent fainting;
- headache;
- increased cholesterol along with hypertension;
- constant weakness, fatigue;
- diabetes;
- suspicion of the presence of tumors, atherosclerotic plaques, blood clots and other formations that violate the patency of blood vessels;
- the procedure is carried out before surgery, as well as during a particular therapy, in order to control the effect of treatment.
Of course, in order to make an accurate diagnosis, tests and laboratory tests are additionally carried out. It is worth noting that, most often, congestion and impaired blood outflow are associated with thrombosis and atherosclerosis.
Description of the ultrasound procedure
To diagnose various vascular diseases, a duplex scan technique is used. Such an ultrasound procedure allows you to check the speed and nature of blood flow in the veins, as well as visualize them and determine the causes of violations. For example, this procedure makes it possible to diagnose thrombosis, narrowing of a vessel, thinning of its wall, expansion of veins, etc.
The procedure is absolutely painless and lasts about half an hour. During this time, the doctor drives the neck, nape, temples and closed eyes with a special sensor that directs ultrasonic waves, and then picks up and captures their reflection from moving red blood cells.
The veins of the head and neck perform very important functions, so their condition should be monitored. In the presence of any disturbing symptoms, you need to contact a specialist and undergo an examination. Diseases diagnosed in the early stages of development are much easier to treat.