deep cervical vein

The deep cervical vein is a vein that drains the suboccipital region, adjacent portions of the vertebral column, and deep muscles of the neck, emptying into a vertebral vein.

The deep cervical vein is located in the deep posterior neck, running alongside the deep cervical artery between the semispinalis capitis and semispinalis cervicis muscles before joining a vertebral vein.

The deep cervical vein is involved in draining deoxygenated blood from the deep extensor muscles of the neck, the suboccipital region, and adjacent vertebral structures, contributing to venous return from the posterior neck.

Cervical spine surgery complications, deep neck space infections, suboccipital venous hypertension, or vascular anomalies of the craniocervical junction may be associated with the deep cervical vein.

The deep cervical vein may be assessed through MRI or CT venography of the cervical spine and neck, Doppler ultrasound of deep cervical vessels, or during surgical procedures involving the posterior cervical spine or craniocervical junction.