Internal jugular vein

Definition

The internal jugular vein is a major blood vessel that carries deoxygenated blood from the head and brain back to the heart. It runs parallel to the internal carotid artery and is located on each side of the neck.

Related terms

Veins: Blood vessels that carry blood towards the heart, primarily transporting deoxygenated blood except in the case of pulmonary and umbilical veins.

Carotid Artery:

A major artery located in the neck that supplies oxygenated blood to the brain, neck, and face.

Deoxygenated Blood: Blood that has released its oxygen to tissues throughout the body and is returning to the heart to be reoxygenated