Clinical Definition
The jugular veins include the internal and external jugular, which are major blood vessels, located on each side of the neck. These veins transport deoxygenated blood from the neck, face and head back to the heart. In a physical exam, distention of the jugular veins can be a clinical sign of heart failure.
In Our Own Words
The jugular veins are major blood vessels in the neck. The internal jugular vein is larger than the external jugular and drains blood from the brain, with blood eventually feeding into the right atrium directly in the sense that there are no valves in between. Both jugular veins transport blood from the face, head and neck back to the heart. The jugular veins can become distended or bulge in some medical conditions, such as heart failure.
