Occipital vein

The occipital vein (Latin: vena occipitalis) is a blood vessel that arises from the posterior venous plexus in the scalp. It collects venous blood from the occipital region of the head.

The occipital vein penetrates the cranial attachment of the trapezius muscle and dips into the suboccipital triangle, where it joins the deep cervical and vertebral veins. The occipital vein drains into either of the following veins:

• Deep cervical vein
• Vertebral vein
• Internal jugular vein
• Posterior auricular vein

The main tributaries of the occipital vein are the occipital emissary veins that connect the occipital vein with the intracranial confluence of sinuses. This connection happens via the mastoid and parietal foramina and the posterior condylar canal.