What is the function of the jugular vein?
Jugular vein distension means that the main vein in the neck is bulging, enlarged, or swollen. Jugular vein distension can be a major symptom of heart failure, other heart disease, or circulatory problems.
The jugular vein is an important part of your body's circulatory system. It starts at the base of your neck and runs up your upper chest, where it joins several other major veins to form the superior vena cava.
Jugular vein distension means that the pressure in your right atrium and superior vena cava is unusually high.
If you have a jugular vein distension and low blood pressure, you should suspect the following dangerous conditions:
- Cardiac tamponade;
- Pulmonary collapse;
- Pulmonary embolism.
Other possible causes of jugular vein dilation include:
- Heart failure;
- Pulmonary hypertension;
- Constrictive pericarditis;
- Tricuspid valve disease;
- Interstitial lung disease;
- Jugular vein syndrome.
Source:
https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/symptoms/23149-jugular-vein-distention
