Jugular vein

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Vein: Jugular vein

The veins of the neck, viewed from in front.
Gray's	subject #168 646
Drains to	superior vena cava
MeSH	Jugular+Veins

The jugular veins are veins that bring deoxygenated blood from the head back to the heart via the superior vena cava.

1 Internal and external
2 Cultural references
3 References in Music
4 Additional images
5 References

[edit] Internal and external

The are two sets of jugular veins: external and internal.

The internal jugular vein is formed by the anastomosis of blood from the sigmoid sinus of the dura mater and the common facial vein. The internal jugular runs with the common carotid artery and vagus nerve inside the carotid sheath. It provides venous drainage for the contents of the skull.

The external jugular runs superficially to sternocleidomastoid.

Both connect to the brachocephalic veins, the external jugular joining more laterally than the internal. The brachicephalic veins then join the subclavian veins from both sides then join to form the superior vena cava.^[1]

[edit] Cultural references

The jugular vein is the major point of damage when performing Jigai, a traditional way for japanese women to commit suicide. This method most commonly used because of its quick, painless, and certain outcome.
In popular culture, the jugular is stereotypically what dogs and other animals are thought to go after with the intent of killing another animal. Generally because of the awareness that it will incapacitate the opponent with little effort.
IT is also the Islamic method of slaughtering animals Humanly and without pain. Muslim traditionally cry "God is Great" before pulling a sharpened blade from a concealed place, and then slicing through both veins in the neck, as this numbs creatures and brings about instant death. To date, science has backed Islamic tradition stating the slicing of the jugular is a causer of instant death. Also making the meat Halal to consume after all the blood is drained from the openings.

[edit] References in Music

'People Who Died', by Jim Carroll (of which a small part features over the start of the end credits of Dawn Of The Dead) features lyrics which talk of how his various friends have died. At one point he talks of his brother 'Eddy', who has been "slit in the Jugular vein."