Knowledge Base

• Anatomy of neck veins
  • Internal jugular vein
    • Deep behind sternoclidomastoid muscle
    • From the angle between sternal and clavicular head of sternomastoid to angle of neck
  • External jugular vein
• Clinical methods for estimation of central venous pressure.
• Physiology of a, c, v waves.
  • a: atrial contracion
  • v: venous filling
  • x descent: atrial relaxation
  • y descent venous emtying
  • c: not easily visible
• Effect of respiration and pleural negative pressure on atrial filling.
  • Increased intrathoracic negative pressure facilitates venous return and filling of atrium
  • Hence neck veins decrease in height during inspiration
• Conditions causing venous distension and prominent a or c or v waves.
• Anatomical relationship to neck muscles and carotid artery.
• Hepatojugular reflux.

Resources: Bates, A Guide to Physical Exam.