Retromandibular Vein

Course

The retromandibular vein is formed within or deep to the parotid gland by the confluence of the maxillary vein (drains the pterygoid venous plexus) and the superficial temporal vein (drains the temporal scalp).

It descends within the substance of the parotid gland and then divides into two branches near the inferior border of the gland.

• Anterior division – joins the facial vein, forming the common facial vein, which drains into the internal jugular vein deep to the sternocleidomastoid muscle.

• Posterior division – joins the posterior auricular vein to form the external jugular vein, which runs superficial to sternocleidomastoid. Occasionally, the posterior division may drain directly into the external jugular vein.

By TeachMeSeries Ltd (2025)

Fig 1
Course and tributaries of the retromandibular vein.

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Drainage

The retromandibular vein drains the deep face, infratemporal region, and temporal scalp via its two main tributaries:

• Maxillary vein – drains the pterygoid venous plexus, which receives blood from the deep face, orbit, and muscles of mastication.

• Superficial temporal vein – drains the temporal region of the scalp and lateral forehead.

It ultimately empties into both the internal and external jugular veins through its anterior and posterior divisions.