where is the jugular vein

The jugular vein is located in the neck. There are two main types: the internal and external jugular veins. The internal jugular vein runs vertically down each side of the neck, inside a structure called the carotid sheath, alongside the common carotid artery and the vagus nerve. It collects blood from the brain, face, and neck, and drains it into the brachiocephalic vein near the base of the neck, which eventually leads to the heart. It lies behind the sternocleidomastoid muscle and lateral to the carotid artery. The external jugular vein is more superficial, running superficially over the sternocleidomastoid muscle and draining blood from the outside of the skull and deep parts of the face into the subclavian veins. In summary, the jugular veins are major veins in the neck that drain blood from the head and neck back to the heart.