The jugular vein is a major vein in the neck that drains blood from the head back to the heart. There are two main sets: the internal jugular vein and the external jugular vein. The internal jugular vein runs down the side of the neck alongside the internal carotid artery and the common carotid artery, within a structure called the carotid sheath. It begins at the base of the skull and descends next to the carotid arteries, eventually joining with the subclavian vein to form the brachiocephalic vein, which then drains into the superior vena cava and the heart. It collects blood from the brain, face, and neck. The external jugular vein lies more superficially on the neck, running over the sternocleidomastoid muscle, and drains blood from the outer parts of the head and deep parts of the face into the subclavian vein. In summary, the jugular veins are located in the front and sides of the neck, serving as important pathways for venous blood returning from the head to the heart.