Unilateral Anomalous Venous Pattern of Face and Neck—Clinico-embryological Perspective: A Case Report

During a routine dissection class of undergraduate medical students, unilateral variations of the major superficial veins of the face and neck were observed in an adult male Indian cadaver. The standard anatomical description of the external jugular vein (EJV) consists of the posterior auricular vein joining the posterior division of the retromandibular vein (RMV). The variations were observed on the left side of the face. The RMV exhibited normal formation but was not divided into anterior and posterior divisions. The EJV was formed by the union of the facial vein and the undivided RMV. The posterior auricular vein was also absent. The EJV bifurcated into two branches, which terminated into the cephalic vein. The veins on the right side displayed normal anatomy. The RMV is an important anatomical structure in radiology practice that can be used to localize a tumor in the parotid gland and is also used as a guide to expose the facial nerve branches in superficial parotidectomy and in open reduction of mandibular condylar fractures. The present paper reports a variation in the superficial veins of the face and neck and is an attempt to reinforce awareness of such variations among clinicians and plastic surgeons in view of reconstructive procedures.