Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) Intermediate Practice Exam

The two major veins that drain the head and neck of blood are the:

1. Subclavian veins

2. Jugular veins

3. Brachiocephalic veins

4. Cervical veins

The correct answer is: Jugular veins

The major veins that drain blood from the head and neck are the jugular veins. Specifically, there are two primary types: the internal jugular vein and the external jugular vein. The internal jugular vein collects blood from the brain, the superficial parts of the face, and the neck, while the external jugular vein drains blood from the outer regions of the head and neck, including the jaws and the scalp. These veins play a crucial role in venous return, facilitating the flow of deoxygenated blood back to the heart. The other options, while related to the venous system, do not specifically serve this primary function for the head and neck. The subclavian veins primarily drain the arms and parts of the thorax. The brachiocephalic veins are larger vessels formed by the convergence of the subclavian and internal jugular veins, but they do not directly drain the head and neck themselves. Cervical veins can be ambiguous as they may refer to various small veins in the neck but do not constitute the two major vessels known for draining blood from these regions. Thus, jugular veins are clearly identified as the major vessels involved in draining the head and neck.