anterior jugular vein

6.8

A vein at the front of the neck that starts below the chin and joins the external jugular vein

noun
/ænˈtɪr.i.ər ˈdʒʌɡ.jə.lər veɪn/

Specialized

: vena yugular anterior

The surgeon carefully identified the anterior jugular vein before making the incision.

Examples

The anterior jugular vein is essential for draining blood from the face.
In some procedures, the anterior jugular vein may be used for venous access.
Swelling in the neck can sometimes put pressure on the anterior jugular vein.
Surgeons often examine the anterior jugular vein during neck procedures.
The surgeon carefully identified the anterior jugular vein before making the incision.
In some procedures, the anterior jugular vein may be used for venous access.
Swelling in the neck can sometimes put pressure on the anterior jugular vein.

Surface Forms

anterior jugular vein singular

anterior jugular veins plural

Morphology

anterior + jugular + vein

The meaning 'a vein in the front of the neck' is directly derivable from the constituents: 'anterior' (toward the front) + 'jugular' (relating to the neck) + 'vein' (blood vessel). This is a standard anatomical compound following transparent adjective–noun composition, so a B1 learner who knows the component words should be able to understand it.

Etymology

Anterior jugular vein is a name that literally points to where the vessel is. The word anterior means 'front', jugular refers to the 'throat' area, and vein is a 'blood vessel', so the name describes a vein at the front of the neck that drains blood from the lower face.