ANATOMICAL VARIATIONS OF THE INTERNAL JUGULAR VEIN IN CADAVERIC STUDIES AND THEIR CLINICAL IMPLICATIONS

https://doi.org/10.71284/tjmhs.2026323

Özet

Objective, this review was conducted the variations of the internal jugular vein (IJV), responsible for collecting a significant portion of the venous blood from the brain, as detected in cadaver dissections, and to shed light on clinical and surgical sciences with the results obtained, with the goal of minimizing the risk of possible complications during interventions. Materials and Methods, variations in IJV reported in cadaver studies between 1960 and 2026 were examined using Google Scholar, PubMed, and Web of Science databases. Approximately 14.100 articles were accessed. A total of 126 articles have been downloaded. Of the 126 articles initially identified, 81 were excluded (Computed Tomography, Magnetic Resonance Imaging, Ultrasonography, surgery, clinical, review, duplicate studies, and irrelevant studies). The remaining 45 articles comprised 39 cadaver studies, 2 letters to the editor (rare variation), and 4 clinical studies. Results, IJV duplication and fenestration variations were defined as IJV duplication in 2017. Variations were classified into three categories based on their level: Type A, Type B, and Type C. The studies reviewed included approximately 8 duplications,
6 fenestrations, 2 bifurcations, 8 anastomoses, 1 drainage variation, 2 accessory branches, 6 studies related to valve variations, and 7 studies related to IJV diameters. In 2 duplication cases, 2 fenestration cases, and 1 bifurcation case, the portion of the accessory nerve arising from the spinal cord was reported to pass through these venous variations. The present study identified a total of 27 variations of VJI, with the majority of these variations located on the right side. Conclusion, clinically, radiological imaging is important to identify variations in the internal jugular vein neck region prior to surgery on the IJV. In particular, vein diameter assessment is recommended before central venous catheterization to prevent unwanted complications. Variations affecting the IJV can occur not only in the IJV itself but also in adjacent structures.
Keywords: Variation, duplication, , cadaveric, fenestration