Anat Cell Biol.  2016 Sep;49(3):210-212. 10.5115/acb.2016.49.3.210.

A rare case of persistent jugulocephalic vein and its clinical implication

• Shetty P
• Nayak SB
• Thangarajan R
• D'Souza MR

• KMID: 2353347
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.5115/acb.2016.49.3.210

Abstract

Persistence of jugulocephalic vein is one of the extremely rare variations of the cephalic vein. Knowledge of such a variation is of utmost importance to orthopedic surgeons while treating the fractures of the clavicle, head and neck surgeons, during surgery of the lower part of neck, for cardiothoracic surgeons and radiologists during catheterization and cardiac device placement. We report the persistent jugulocephalic vein in an adult male cadaver, observed during the routine dissection classes. The right cephalic vein ascended upwards, superficial to the lateral part of the clavicle and terminated into the external jugular vein. It also gave a communicating branch to the axillary vein below the clavicle. We discuss the embryological and clinical importance of this rare variation.

Keyword

External jugular vein; Jugulocephalic vein; Cephalic vein; Axillary vein; Subclavian vein

MeSH Terms

Adult
Axillary Vein
Cadaver
Catheterization
Catheters
Clavicle
Head
Humans
Jugular Veins
Male
Neck
Orthopedics
Subclavian Vein
Surgeons
Veins*

Figure

• 

  Fig. 1 Dissection of the upper part of the right arm and right side of the neck showing JCV. A, anterior; COM, communication between cephalic vein and axillary vein; DLT, deltoid muscle; EJV, external jugular vein; I, inferior; JCV, jugulocephalic vein; MV, muscular vein from sternocleidomastoid; P, posterior; PM, pectoralis major muscle; S, superior; SCM, sternocleidomastoid muscle; TRP, trapezius muscle.

• 

  Fig. 2 Dissection of the upper part of the right arm and right side of the neck showing JCV. A, anterior; DEL, deltoid muscle; EJV, external jugular vein; GAN, great auricular nerve; I, inferior; JCV, jugulocephalic vein; P, posterior; PEJV, posterior external jugular vein; S, superior; SCM, sternocleidomastoid muscle; TRP, trapezius muscle.

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