Cervical Landmarks

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Image showing neck vein landmarks

As seen in the diagram on the right, the right internal jugular vein courses through the triangle formed by the clavicle and the sternal and clavicular heads of the sternocleidomastoid muscle. The vein runs superiorly toward the ear lobe. When the muscle landmarks are hard to see, the muscle heads can be brought out by having the patient push their head against the resistance of your hand held against their forehead. The effect of this technique is demonstrated in the video. Unlike the external jugular vein, the internal jugular vein is not visualized but its pulsations are reflected on the skin overlying its cervical course.