Abnormal formation and communication of external jugular vein

Knowledge of variations in the origin, course and termination of external jugular vein may be important for surgeons, radiologists, and plastic surgeons. In this report, we present a variation in the origin of the external jugular vein and its abnormal communication with the cephalic vein. The external jugular vein was formed by the union of facial and retromandibular veins. Its course and termination were normal but it communicated with the cephalic vein through a large communicating vein, which crossed superficial to clavicle. The retromandibular vein did not divide into two divisions and the posterior auricular vein was absent. The terminal part of cephalic vein was sandwiched between the clavicle and subclavius muscle.