Deep cervical vein

The deep cervical vein (also known as posterior vertebral vein or posterior deep cervical vein, Latin: vena cervicalis profunda) is a blood vessel that drains the deep muscles of the back and neck. It is formed by veins of the suboccipital muscles, veins from plexuses around the cervical spine, and by the communicating branches arising from the occipital vein.

The deep cervical vein arises in the suboccipital region, accompanies the deep cervical artery, runs between the semispinalis capitis and semispinalis cervicis muscles, and drains into the lower part of the vertebral vein. On its course, the deep cervical vein receives veins from the plexus around the spinous processes of the cervical vertebrae.