Quick Facts
Origin: Around the transverse processes of the upper cervical vertebrae.
Course: Descends in the neck to drain into the vertebral vein.
Tributaries: Anterior external vertebral venous plexus.
Drainage: Vertebral column.
Origin
The anterior vertebral vein begins in the upper neck, as a venous plexus around the transverse processes of the cervical vertebrae.
Course
The anterior vertebral vein descends in the neck, anterior to the transverse processes of the cervical vertebrae, close to the attachments of the scalenus anterior and longus capitis muscles. It is accompanied by the ascending cervical artery. The anterior vertebral vein drains into the vertebral vein.
Tributaries
The anterior vertebral vein receives tributaries from the anterior external vertebral venous plexus.
Structures Drained
The anterior vertebral vein drains the vertebral column.
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Vertebral Vein
The vertebral veins are connected to those in the chest through the vertebral canal and the ones in the abdomen and pelvis through intercostal, lumbar, and other connecting veins.
