The external jugular vein begins in the substance of the parotid gland, and is formed by the union of the posterior auricular vein and the posterior division of the retromandibular vein. It runs down the neck in a line drawn from the angle of the mandible to the middle of the clavicle, at the posterior border of the sternocleidomastoid and then crossing it, ending in the subclavian vein. Blood from the exterior of the cranium and deep parts of the face empty into the external jugular vein. The posterior external jugular, the transverse cervical, and transverse scapular, and anterior jugular veins empty into it. A large branch from the internal jugular vein also joins it, in the substance of the parotid gland. The external jugular vein contains one pair of valves at its point of entrance into the subclavian, and another pair at about four centimeters (one and a half inches) above this point; these valves do not stop reflux of blood back into the external jugular vein. The portion between the valves is dilated and called the sinus.

Vena jugularis externa

Veine jugulaire externe