external jugular vein

external jugular vein The more superficial of the two jugular veins in the neck that drain blood from the head, brain, face, and neck and convey blood toward the heart. The external jugular vein collects most of the blood from the outside of the skull and the deep parts of the face. It lies outside the sternocleidomastoid muscle, passes down the neck, and joins the subclavian vein. See also internal jugular vein.