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Int. J. Chem. and Life Sciences
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Case Report
Unusual Drainage of Common Facial Vein
Siddaraju KS*
Department of Anatomy, KMCT Medical College, Manassery, Calicut, Kerala, India
Received for publication: March 11, 2013; Accepted: April 22, 2013
Abstract: Normally the common facial vein after its formation it drains into internal jugular vein.
The external jugular vein drains in to the subclavian vein. But here we found a case, during routine
dissection of head and neck about 50 years old male cadaver, the common facial vein was given a
tributary to the internal jugular vein, then it was running downwards to join the external jugular
vein. Then it was draining into the subclavian vein. We also discuss its development and clinical
importance.
Keywords: Common Facial Vein, External Jugular Vein, Internal Jugular Vein, Subclavian Vein.
Introduction
Normally the common facial vein is formed by
the union of facial vein and anterior division of
retromandibular vein. Then it runs on the inferior
surface of superficial part of the submandibular
gland, finely it drains into internal jugular vein. The
external jugular vein is formed by union of posterior
division of retromandibular vein and posterior
auricular vein. Then it runs obliquely on the
sternocleidomastoid muscle to drain to the
subclavian vein.
Case Study:
During routine dissection of 50 years old male
cadaver in the left head and neck in the year 2012,
Dept. of Anatomy, KMCT Medical College,
Manassery, Calicut, Kerala, India.
Observation:
During routine dissection of 50-year-old male
cadaver, in left side of head and neck we found a
case, the common facial vein after its formation it
was given a tributary to the internal jugular vein
then it was running downward medially on the
superior belly of omohyoid and sternothyroid. Just
above the sternoclavicular joint, taken a lateral
deviation then running horizontally to form
common trunk with the external jugular vein. That
common trunk was draining to the subclavian vein.
Fig.1:
Fig.2:
Fig.1 & Fig.2: SCV-Subclavian vein, BCVBrachiocephalic vein, EJV- External jugular vein,
SCM- Sternocleidomastoid, CFV-Common facial
vein, SOH-Superior belli of omohyoid, IJV-Internal
jugular vein, CCA-Common carotid artery, FVFacial vein, ARM-Anterior division of retromandibular vein and -Common trunk of EJV & CFV.
*Corresponding Author:
Siddaraju KS
Department of Anatomy, KMCT Medical College,
Manassery, Calicut, Kerala, India
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Siddaraju ;
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Int. J. Chem. and Life Sciences, 2013, 02 (07), 1193-1194
Clinical Importance:
Discussion
Variation of superficial veins of head and neck
though common, important clinically.
Bertha et al., (2011) [1] found in three specimens,
the common facial vein opened into the external
jugular vein. In one specimen, on the right side,
the common facial vein ran separately for almost
the whole length of the neck and opened into
the external jugular vein. In two other cadavers,
the left common facial vein drained into the
external jugular vein, while the right vein
drained into the internal jugular vein.
Anterior facial vein ending as EJV was noticed
here possibly facial vein took over the territory
of primitive maxillary vein and joined
retromandibular vein, reprted by Pikkieff,
(1937). [2] Choudhary also described similar
anatomy (1997). [3]
Chaudhary et al (1997), 5% incidence [3] and
Suhani Sumalatha D’Silva et al (2008) [4] both as
been reported in literature, the facial vein
terminating in to the external jugular vein.
The facial vein joins with RMV at higher level in
the right parotid gland has been reported by
Kopuz et al., (1995). [5]
Right facial vein draining into the superficial
temporal vein, 5mm cranial to an undivided
RMV was also reported by Peuker et al., (2001).
[6]
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Rajanigandha et al, (2008) found a case the Left
External Jugular Vein draining into Right
Subclavian Vein. [7]
Compared with available literature, which
showed that present anomaly is very rare found
a solitary case of variation.
Development:
Superficial veins of head and neck develops
from superficial plexus of the capillaries, which
ultimately form primary head vein. Large channels
are formed by enlargement of individual capillaries
(Hamilton, Boyd and Mossman, 1972). [8, 9, 10]
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Formation and termination of the common facial
veins are common. A thorough understanding and
knowledge of the variations are essential in order to
avoid complications during clinical procedures.
External jugular vein may give diagnostic signs of
heart failure.
Techniques of central venous catheterization are now
of great clinical importance both to measure central
venous pressure (CVP), for practical purpose the
pressure within the right atrium, and also to allow
rapid blood replacement and long term intravenous
feeding by means of glucose, amino acids and fats.
References
1.
Bertha A, et al. Anatomical Variations in Termination
of Common Facial Vein. Journal of Clinical and
Diagnostic Research [serial online] 2011 February
[cited: 2011 Sep 30], 5, 24-27.
2.
Pikkieff, Ellen. Subcutaneous veins of the neck.
Journal of Anatomy, 1937, 72, 119.
3.
Chaudhary R, et al. Facial vein terminating in external
jugular vein. An embryological interpretation.
Surgical and Radiological Anatomy1997, 19, 73-77.
4.
Suhani Sumalatha D’Silva et al Termination of the
facial vein into the external jugular vein: an
anatomical variation, J Vasc Bras 2008, 7,174-175.
5.
Kopuz et al. An unusual coursing of the facial
vein. Kaibogaku Zasshi 1995, 70, 20-2.
6.
Peuker et al. Facial vein terminating in the
superficial temporal vein: a case report. J Anat
2001, 198, 509-10.
7.
Rajanigandha V et al: An Anomalous Left External
Jugular Vein Draining into Right Subclavian Vein: A
Case Report Int. J. Morphol 2008, 26,893-895.
8.
Hollinshead WH. Anatomy for surgeons; 2nd Edition
1956, 1, 530-531.
9.
Keith L. Moore, Arthur F. Dalley. Clinically oriented
anatomy 5th edition, 2006, 1060.
10. Hamilton, Boyd and Mossman. Human embryology
4th edition 1972, 261.
Source of support: Nil,
Conflict of interest: None Declared
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