# What is the jugular vein?

The jugular vein is called the internal jugular vein. Gray's Anatomy (1918) describes it as a large vein that drains blood from the brain, face, and neck.

## What it means

- A large vein that drains blood from the brain, face, and neck.
- One of the largest veins above the heart.
- Its collapse or filling reflects the pressure in the right atrium.

## Action steps

1. Runs down each side of the neck.
2. Alongside the common carotid artery and vagus nerve within the carotid sheath.
3. Joins the subclavian vein to form the brachiocephalic vein.

## Sources

- [Gray's Anatomy of the Human Body (1918)](https://www.bartleby.com/107/)

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