jugular vein

jugular vein One of the veins in the neck that drain blood from the head, brain, face, and neck, and then convey it toward the heart. There are an external jugular vein and an internal jugular vein on each side of the neck. The jugular veins are particularly prominent during congestive heart failure. When the patient is sitting or in a semirecumbent position, the height of the jugular veins and their pulsations provide an estimate of the central venous pressure, as well as important information about whether the heart is keeping up with the demands on it. See also jugular vein, external; jugular vein, internal.