Walsh & Hoyt: Extracranial Cerebral Veins

The internal jugular vein is the most important drainage channel in the craniocervical region. It collects blood from the brain, the superficial parts of the face, and the neck. The internal jugular vein originates in the posterior compartment of the jugular foramen from the sigmoid sinuses, which themselves receive blood from the sinuses that form the torcular Herophili.