Variations in the Venous Drainage Pattern of Face and Neck

The study of the variations in the superficial veins of head and neck and their draining pattern is very important due to the complexity in their developmental pattern. A total of 32 cadavers of both sexes were used for the study and the head and neck region were dissected carefully and photographed in the department of anatomy, Vinayaka Mission Kirupananda Variyar Medical College & Hospital, Salem. We observed one cadaver presenting with undivided retromandibular vein on its right side draining into internal jugular vein after receiving anterior facial vein and posterior auricular vein with absence of external jugular vein. Second cadaver showed a common facial vein draining into external jugular vein and also doubling of External jugular vein. Third specimen presented with termination of anterior division of retromandibular vein into external jugular vein and occipital vein into internal jugular vein. Hence, Knowledge on variations of veins of head and neck were important for clinicians, radiologist and surgeon for planning the operative procedures.