What is "deep cervical vein"

n. a vein that accompanies an artery of the same name [syn: cervical vein, vena cervicalis profunda]

The deep cervical vein (posterior vertebral or posterior deep cervical vein) accompanies its artery between the Semispinales capitis and colli.

It begins in the suboccipital region by communicating branches from the occipital vein and by small veins from the deep muscles at the back of the neck.

It receives tributaries from the plexuses around the spinous processes of the cervical vertebræ, and terminates in the lower part of the vertebral vein.