rhizoverbBeta
DictionaryjugularNeck vein
noun / adjective

jugular

JUG-yuh-ler/ˈdʒʌɡjələr/

A major neck vein carrying blood toward the heart.

The jugular carries blood from the head back toward the heart.

A clean anatomical cutaway model of the neck and upper chest, with the large internal jugular vein prominently visible descending to its junction with the subclavian vein.
Etymology
jugulLatinthroat, neck
+arLatinpertaining to

The pieces mean 'pertaining to the neck,' originally describing the great veins there. The noun arose by shortening 'jugular vein,' turning a location-based description into the vein's name.

In context

Smithsonian Channel32:45
… ROPE BLOCKS THE CAROTID ARTERIES, JUGULAR VEIN, THE TRACHEA, THE WINDPIPE.
America's Hidden Stories: Salem's Secrets 🤐 FULL EPISODE | Smithsonian Channel

More examples

  • The nurse checks for swelling around his jugular vein.
  • The scan shows that both internal jugulars are open.
  • The doctor uses ultrasound to locate the jugular before inserting a catheter.

Forms

jugular · jugulars

Similar words

jugular vein
The full anatomical term for the same neck vessel.
vein
A broader term for vessels carrying blood toward the heart.