An Ectopic External Jugular Vein Draining into the Axillary Vein: a Rare Anatomical Variation with Clinical Implications

Dimitra Daskalopoulou; Dimosthenis Chrysikos; Amir Shihada; Alexandros Samolis; Nikolaos Pappas; Dimitrios Filippou; Theodore Troupis

doi:10.5644/ama2006-124.441

An Ectopic External Jugular Vein Draining into the Axillary Vein

a Rare Anatomical Variation with Clinical Implications

Authors

Dimitra Daskalopoulou Department of Anatomy, Medical School, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Athens, Greece; Department of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Naval Hospital Athens, Athens, Greece
Dimosthenis Chrysikos Department of Anatomy, Medical School, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Athens, Greece
Amir Shihada Department of Anatomy, Medical School, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Athens, Greece
Alexandros Samolis Department of Anatomy, Medical School, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Athens, Greece
Nikolaos Pappas Department of Anatomy, Medical School, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Athens, Greece
Dimitrios Filippou Department of Anatomy, Medical School, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Athens, Greece
Theodore Troupis Department of Anatomy, Medical School, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Athens, Greece

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.5644/ama2006-124.441

Keywords:

External Jugular Vein, Axillary Vein, Anatomical Variants, Cephalic Vein, Jugulocephalic Vein

Abstract

Objective. The external jugular vein drains a considerable part of the head and neck and constitutes a vessel implicated in vari- ous procedures in the cervical region. The aim of this study is to present an uncommon anatomical variation of the external jugular vein, and discuss the clinical implications of its presence.

Case Report. We present a rare case of an ectopic external jugular vein terminating into the axillary vein, that we came across during routine dissection of a male cadaver of Greek origin.

Conclusion. The venous system of the external jugular vein is used during procedures for the treatment of various conditions such as cardiac arrhythmias, hydrocephalus and defects of the head and neck. Hence, encountering the unpredictable course of a variant draining into the axillary vein may complicate these interventions, leading to multiple manipulations and undesirable results. Surgeons should be aware of the alternate anatomy of the venous system of the cervical region, and mindful of the pos- sibility of encountering them.

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Published

2024-05-31

How to Cite

Daskalopoulou, D., Chrysikos, D., Shihada, A., Samolis, A., Pappas, N., Filippou, D., & Troupis, T. (2024). An Ectopic External Jugular Vein Draining into the Axillary Vein: a Rare Anatomical Variation with Clinical Implications. Acta Medica Academica. https://doi.org/10.5644/ama2006-124.441