646 ANGIOLOGY 



veins, and a branch which communicates with the ophthalmic vein through the 

 inferior orbital fissure. This plexus communicates freely with the anterior facial 

 vein; it also communicates with the cavernous sinus, by branches through the 

 foramen Vesalii, foramen ovale, and foramen lacerum. 



The internal maxillary vein (v. maxillaris internet) is a short trunk which accom- 

 panies the first part of the internal maxillary artery. It is formed by a confluence 

 of the veins of the pterygoid plexus, and passes backward between the spheno- 

 mandibular ligament and the neck of the mandible, and unites with the temporal 

 vein to form the posterior facial vein. 



The posterior facial vein (v. facialis posterior; temporomaxillary vein), formed 

 by the union of the superficial temporal and internal maxillary veins, descends in 

 the substance of the parotid gland, superficial to the external carotid artery but 

 beneath the facial nerve, between the ramus of the mandible and the Sternocleido- 

 mastoideus muscle. It divides into two branches, an anterior, w r hich passes forward 

 and unites with the anterior facial vein to form the common facial vein and a pos- 

 terior, which is joined by the posterior auricular vein and becomes the external 

 jugular vein. 



The posterior auricular vein (v. auricularis posterior) begins upon the side of 

 the head, in a plexus which communicates w r ith the tributaries of the occipital, 

 and superficial temporal veins. It descends behind the auricula, and joins the 

 posterior division of the posterior facial vein to form the external jugular. It 

 receive the stylomastoid vein, and some tributaries from the cranial surface of the 

 auricula. 



The occipital vein (v. occipitalis) begins in a plexus at the back part of the vertex 

 of the skull, From the plexus emerges a single vessel, which pierces the cranial 

 attachment of the Trapezius and, dipping into the suboccipital triangle, joins the 

 deep cervical and vertebral veins. Occasionally it follows the course of the occipital 

 artery and ends in the internal jugular; in other instances, it joins the posterior 

 auricular and through it opens into the external jugular. The parietal emissary 

 vein connects it with the superior sagittal sinus ; and as it passes across the mastoid 

 portion of the temporal bone, it receives the mastoid emissary vein which connects 

 it with the transverse sinus. The occipital diploic vein sometimes joins it. 



The Veins of the Neck (Fig. 558). 

 The veins of the neck, which return the blood from the head and face, are: 



External Jugular. Anterior Jugular. 



Posterior External Jugular. Internal Jugular. 



Vertebral. 



The external jugular vein (v. jugularis externa) receives the greater part of the 

 blood from the exterior of the cranium and the deep parts of the face, being formed 

 by the junction of the posterior division of the posterior facial with the posterior 

 auricular vein. It commences in the substance of the parotid gland, on a level 

 with the angle of the mandible, and runs perpendicularly down the neck, in the 

 direction of a line drawn from the angle of the mandible to the middle of the clavicle 

 at the posterior border of the Sternocleidomastoideus. In its course it crosses 

 the Sternocleidomastoideus obliquely, and in the subclavian triangle perforates 

 the deep fascia, and ends in the subclavian vein, lateral to or in front of the Scalenus 

 anterior. It is separated from the Sternocleidomastoideus by the investing layer 

 of the deep cervical fascia, and is covered by the Platysma, the superficial fascia, 

 and the integument; it crosses the cutaneous cervical nerve, and its upper half 

 runs parallel with the great auricular nerve. The external jugular vein varies in 

 size, bearing an inverse proportion to the other veins of the neck, it is occasionally 



