What it means
There is an internal and an external jugular vein on each side of the neck. They drain blood from the brain, face and neck into the veins that lead to the right side of the heart. Because they connect so directly to the heart, how full they look tells the nurse something about the pressure in the right side of the heart. The internal jugular is also a common place to insert a central line.
For the nurse
Look at the neck veins with the head of the bed raised to about 30 to 45 degrees. Veins that stay full and bulging at that angle are called jugular vein distentionJUG-yuh-ler VAYN dis-TEN-shunNeck veins that stay full and bulging when the client sits with the head raised at 30 to 45 degrees.Full entry .
At a glance
| Spanish | vena yugular |
|---|---|
| Also written | jugular veins |
Related terms
vein
A blood vessel that carries blood back toward the heart.
central venous pressure
The blood pressure in the large vein near the heart's right atrium, measured through a central line.
jugular
Relating to the neck, especially the large veins in the neck.
jugular vein distention
Neck veins that stay full and bulging when the client sits with the head raised at 30 to 45 degrees.