transverse cervical vein

The transverse cervical vein is a vein that drains blood primarily from the trapezius muscle and other superficial back muscles, serving as a tributary of the external jugular vein.

The transverse cervical vein is located in the posterior triangle of the neck, coursing transversely across the lower neck alongside the transverse cervical artery before joining the external jugular vein.

The transverse cervical vein is involved in draining deoxygenated blood from the superficial muscles of the upper back and shoulder region, particularly the trapezius, into the external jugular venous system.

Neck dissection procedures, lymphadenopathy in the posterior cervical triangle, venous anomalies, or trauma to the neck region may be associated with the transverse cervical vein.

The transverse cervical vein may be assessed through clinical inspection of the posterior neck, Doppler ultrasound of cervical veins, CT or MRI of the neck, or during surgical exploration of the posterior cervical triangle.