Facial Vein Draining Into External Jugular vein (Case Report)

Purpose: Circulatory system is very important because of injection, Blood transfer and centeral venous catheter insertion. The superficial veins, especially the external jugular vein (EJV) are increasingly being utilized for cannulation to conduct diagnostic procedures or intravenous therapies. The anomalous drainage of veins is of great significance for vascular surgeons and reconstructive surgery. Materials and Methods: During the dissection of right neck area a approximately 50 years old male for educational purposes, we found an abnormally coursing facial vein which has joined the external Jugular vein. Result: In this anomalous case, the facial vein crossed the base of the mandible just posterior to the facial artery , lying deep to platysma, coursing obliquely over the sternocleidomastoid (S.C.M) muscle and joined the (EJV) 8cm inferior of mandibular angle. The retromandibular vein did not split into anterior and posterior division. It joined withe the posterior auricular vein to form the (EJV). external jugular vein decended obliquely across the S.C.M and drained into the subclavian vein in the posterior triangle On the other side of the neck facial vein and retromandibulra vein had normal courses.Conclusion: Knowledge of anomalous drainage of the facial vein is therefore important to avoid an inappropriate dissection which may cause sever damage. Keyword(s): FACIAL VEIN, EXTERNAL JUGULAR VEIN, DRAINAGE