The spelling of "vena jugularis externa posterior" can seem daunting at first glance. However, breaking it down with IPA phonetic transcription can help make sense of the different spellings. The first word, "vena," is spelled phonetically as /ˈviː.nə/. "Jugularis" is spelled /ˌdʒʌɡ.jʊˈlɛə.rɪs/. "Externa" is spelled /ɛkˈstɜː.nə/. Finally, "posterior" is spelled as /pɒsˈtɪə.ri.ə/. With this breakdown, it becomes easier to see how each part of the phrase is spelled and pronounced. It also highlights how the Latin roots of the word impact its spelling in English.
The vena jugularis externa posterior, commonly referred to as the posterior external jugular vein, is a major vein located on the lateral aspect of the neck. It is one of the two main branches of the external jugular vein, with the other being the anterior external jugular vein.
The vena jugularis externa posterior originates from the junction of the retromandibular vein and the posterior auricular vein, which are tributaries of the external jugular vein. It then descends downwards on the side of the neck, adjacent to the sternocleidomastoid muscle.
This vein is responsible for draining blood from various areas of the scalp, including the posterior part, as well as from areas of the neck and the back of the ear. It receives blood from a network of superficial veins in these regions. The vena jugularis externa posterior ultimately drains into the subclavian vein, which is a major vein located in the base of the neck.
The posterior external jugular vein plays a crucial role in the venous drainage of the head and neck region. It helps to remove deoxygenated blood from the scalp and neck, allowing for its return to the heart for oxygenation. This vein can be used as a reliable landmark for identifying certain structures during surgical procedures in the neck region, and it also serves as a potential access point for medical interventions such as venous cannulation or blood sampling.
Posterior external jugular vein, begins in tbe upper and back part of the neck, superficially, and runs downward and forward to empty into the external jugular at the posterior edge of the sternocleidomastoid muscle.
A practical medical dictionary. By Stedman, Thomas Lathrop. Published 1920.