As you know, the brain needs a certain amount of oxygen, glucose and other substances to function properly. This explains the presence of a developed network of arteries that carry blood to the tissues. Timely outflow of fluid is very important, so it is worth examining the main veins of the head and neck.
Many people are interested in more information. What are the anatomy of the head and neck? What vessels supply blood from different parts of the brain? When do doctors recommend vein ultrasound? What are the complications of disruption of normal blood flow in the veins? The answers to these questions will be useful to many readers.
Head and Neck Anatomy at a Glance
First, let's look at some 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 (the first cervical vertebra) at the foramen magnum. The spinal cord passes through this hole - the structure of the skeleton provides integritycentral nervous system.
The skeleton of the head and neck consists of the skull, cervical spine, auditory ossicles, hyoid bone. The skull itself is conventionally divided into parts:
- brain (consists of the frontal, occipital ethmoid, sphenoid, as well as paired temporal and parietal bones);
- Facial part (consists of vomer, 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 fail to mention the nerves, brain, glands, blood vessels and other structures. By the way, we will take a closer look at the veins of the head and neck.
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 foramen and is a direct continuation of the sigmoid sinus.
Slightly below the origin of the vessel there is a small formation with dilated 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 sheath as the carotid artery, the vagus nerve). Slightly above where the jugular vein merges with the subclavian, there is another expansion with two valves - this is the lower bulb.
In the sigmoid sinus, in which, in fact, this vessel begins, blood flows from the entire sinus system of the dura mater. In turn, to themthe blood is carried by the cerebral veins, as well as the vessels of the labyrinth and the ophthalmic veins.
Diploic veins
These are wide vessels with thin walls. They do not have valves. Vessels begin in the region 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 dura and meningeal vessels. Outside the skull, these vessels connect to the veins of the integument.
The frontal veins are the largest diploic vessels - they flow into the sagittal sinus. This group also includes the anterior temporal vein, which carries blood to the sphenoparietal sinus. There are also posterior temporal and occipital diploic veins that drain into emissary vessels.
Features of blood flow through emissary vessels
Emissary veins connect the sinuses of the dura mater with vessels located in the tissues outside the skull. By the way, these vessels pass through small bony valves and go outside the skull, where they communicate with other vessels.
- The parietal emissary vein that connects the superior sagittal sinus to the external vessels. Their skulls she comes out through the parietal foramen.
- The mastoid emissary vein exits through the opening of the mastoid process. It connects the sigmoid sinus with the occipital vein.
- The condylar vein exits the skull through the condylar canal (part of the occipital bone).
Brief description of superior and inferior ophthalmic veins
Upper ophthalmicthe vein is larger. It includes vessels into which blood flows from the tissues of the forehead, nose, upper eyelid, membranes and muscles of the eyeball. Approximately at the level of the medial angle of the eye, this vessel communicates with the facial vein through an anastomosis.
The blood from the vessels of the lower eyelid and neighboring muscles of the eye falls into the lower vein. This vessel runs along the lower wall of the orbit, almost under the optic nerve itself, and then flows into the superior ophthalmic vein, which carries blood to the cavernous sinus.
Extracranial tributaries
The internal jugular vein is quite large and collects blood from many vessels.
- Pharyngeal veins that collect blood from the pharyngeal plexus. This vascular structure collects blood from the tissues of the pharynx, the auditory tube, the occipital part of the hard shell of the brain, and the soft palate. By the way, the pharyngeal vessels are small and do not have 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 tissues of the face. Small vessels flow into it, including the mental, supraorbital, angular, external palatine and deep veins of the face. Blood from paired vessels also flows here, including the upper and lower labial, external nasal, as well as the veins of the parotid gland, upper and lowercentury.
- The mandibular vein is considered a fairly large vessel. It begins in the region of the auricle, passes through the parotid gland, and then flows into the internal jugular vein. This vessel collects blood from the pterygoid plexus, the vein of the middle ear, as well as the middle, superficial and deep temporal vessels, the vein of the temporomandibular joint, the anterior ear veins.
Features of blood flow through the external jugular vein
This vessel is formed by the confluence of two tributaries, namely:
- anterior tributary (it forms an anastomosis with the submandibular vein);
- posterior (this tributary collects blood from the occipital and posterior ear veins).
The external jugular vein is formed approximately at the anterior edge of the sternocleidomastoid muscle. From here it follows the anterior surface of the muscle, pierces 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, it also collects blood from the suprascapular and transverse veins of the neck.
Anterior jugular vein
Considering the superficial veins of the head and neck, one cannot fail to mention the anterior jugular vein. It is formed from small vessels that collect blood from the tissues of the chin area, 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 by a transverse anastomosis, resulting in the formation of the jugular venous arch. On both sides, the arc flows into the external jugular veins (leftand right respectively).
Subclavian vessel
The subclavian vein is an unpaired vessel that originates from the axillary vein. This vessel runs 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 it 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 enters it from the dorsal scapular and thoracic venous vessels.
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. However, in case of malfunction of certain organs, the natural blood flow may be disturbed.
When is an ultrasound needed?
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 work of the central nervous system. If you suspect various circulatory disorders, doctors recommend undergoing examinations. And ultrasound of the veins is by far one of the simplest, most accessible and informative tests.
When are patients sent for this procedure? The indications are as follows:
- recurrent dizziness;
- frequent fainting;
- headaches;
- high cholesterol along with hypertension;
- constant weakness, fatigue;
- diabetes mellitus;
- suspicions of the presence of tumors, atherosclerotic plaques, blood clots and other formations that disrupt vascular patency;
- the procedure is carried out before surgery, as well as during a particular therapy, in order to control the effect of the treatment.
Of course, in order to make an accurate diagnosis, additional analyzes and laboratory tests are carried out. It should be noted that congestion and blood outflow disorders are most often associated with thrombosis and atherosclerosis.
Description of the ultrasound procedure
Duplex scanning technique is used to diagnose various vascular diseases. 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 disorders. For example, this procedure makes it possible to diagnose thrombosis, vasoconstriction, thinning of its wall, vein dilation, etc.
The procedure is absolutely painless and lasts about half an hour. During this time, the doctor guides the neck, neck, temples and closed eyes with a special sensor that directs ultrasonic waves, and then captures 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 alarming symptoms, you need to consult a specialist and undergosurvey. Diseases diagnosed in the early stages of development are much easier to treat.
