Posterior auricular vein

Looks like

A vein behind the ear, running down over the mastoid bone.

What it does

Drains the scalp behind the ear and joins the back branch of the retromandibular vein to form the external jugular vein.

Keeping it well

Rarely a problem; its territory drains to the nodes behind the ear, which swell in scalp infections.

Related conditions

• Chronic venous insufficiency
• Clotting disorders (thrombophilia & APS)
• Deep vein thrombosis
• Varicose veins