The anterior jugular vein is a superficial vein of the neck that is formed near and above the hyoid bone by the confluence of several small superficial submandibular veins. The anterior jugular vein has the smallest diameter among all the jugular veins.

After the anterior jugular vein arises, it descends along the anterior aspect of the neck, going between the midline of the neck and the anterior border of the sternocleidomastoid. Near the superior thoracic aperture, the vein turns laterally and further travels behind the sternocleidomastoid, becoming a deeper structure. And finally, the anterior jugular vein terminates by flowing into the external jugular vein or the subclavian vein. Rarely it can directly flow into the brachiocephalic vein.

Usually, the left and right anterior jugular veins communicate with each other above the jugular notch of the sternum. Both veins are typically connected by an arch called the jugular venous arch.

Sometimes there is only one instead of two anterior jugular veins, and a single midline trunk replaces both veins. In that case, it is called the median cervical vein, and it flows into one of the external jugular veins.

On its course, the anterior jugular vein receives the following tributaries:

Laryngeal veins - drain the larynx;
Thyroid veins - collect venous blood from the thyroid gland.

Overall, the anterior jugular vein collects venous blood from the anterior aspect of the neck and the submental region.

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Anterior jugular vein