Definition
The jugular veins are found on both sides of the neck; their function is to convey deoxygenated blood from the head to the superior vena cava, which brings it back to the heart (right atrium). The distension of these veins can be evidenced clinically, thanks to a careful objective examination of the patient with the bust inclined at 45 °.
Bilateral swelling of the veins in the neck can be found in cases of right heart failure (pulmonary heart), a condition that causes dilation and dysfunction of the right ventricle. Other possible causes include: acute myocardial infarction, cardiac tumors (eg myxoma), valvulopathies (eg tricuspid stenosis), cardiac tamponade, acute coronary syndromes and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.
The turgor of the jugular veins also occurs in constrictive pericarditis (marked inflammation, with fibrotic thickening of the pericardium).
If unilateral, distension of the neck veins can be caused by an obstruction of the brachiocephalic vein.
Possible Causes * Distension of the neck veins
- COPD
- Bronchiectasis
- coronary artery disease
- Pulmonary heart
- Respiratory Distress
- Pulmonary edema
- Pulmonary embolism
- Heart attack
- Heart failure
- Respiratory failure
- Pulmonary hypertension
- myxoma
- Pericarditis
- Heart failure
- Cardiac tumors
