The jugular tubercle, also known as the tuberculum jugulare or the carotic tubercle, is a small bony prominence located on the lateral surface of the skull. It is situated at the base of the skull, near the junction of the temporal and occipital bones. It serves as a landmark for the location of several important structures in the head and neck region, including the jugular foramen, the glossopharyngeal and vagus nerves, and the internal jugular vein.
Structure
The jugular tubercle is a small, rounded bony prominence located on the lateral surface of the skull. It is formed by the junction of the occipital bone and the temporal bone, and is located just superior to the styloid process of the temporal bone. It is located within the paracondylar fossa, a depression on the lateral surface of the occipital bone.
It is an important landmark for several structures in the head and neck region. It serves as a reference point for the location of the jugular foramen, which is a large opening in the base of the skull that allows passage of several important nerves and blood vessels. The jugular foramen is located just posterior to the jugular tubercle, and is bordered by the jugular tubercle, the styloid process, and the occipital bone.
Location
The jugular tubercle is located on the lateral surface of the skull, at the base of the skull near the junction of the temporal and occipital bones. It is located just superior to the styloid process of the temporal bone, and is situated within the paracondylar fossa on the lateral surface of the occipital bone.
Function
The jugular tubercle serves as a reference point for the location of several important structures in the head and neck region. It is used as a landmark for the location of the jugular foramen, which is a large opening in the base of the skull that allows passage of several important nerves and blood vessels. The jugular foramen is located just posterior to the jugular tubercle, and is bordered by the jugular tubercle, the styloid process, and the occipital bone.
The jugular foramen is a critical structure in the head and neck region, as it allows passage of several important nerves and blood vessels. The glossopharyngeal nerve (CN IX) and the vagus nerve (CN X) pass through the jugular foramen, and are responsible for innervating various structures in the head and neck region. The internal jugular vein also passes through the jugular foramen, and is responsible for carrying blood from the head and neck region back to the heart.
In addition to serving as a reference point for the jugular foramen, the jugular tubercle also serves as a reference point for the location of other important structures in the head and neck region. The carotid artery and the internal jugular vein pass close to the jugular tubercle, and the glossopharyngeal and vagus nerves also pass close to the jugular tubercle as they pass through the jugular foramen.
Clinical Significance
The jugular tubercle is an important landmark in the head and neck region, and is often used as a reference point for various medical procedures.
One common medical procedure that utilizes the jugular tubercle is the insertion of a central venous catheter. A central venous catheter is a long, thin tube that is inserted into a vein in the neck or chest and passed through to the heart. The catheter is used to administer medications or fluids, or to monitor central venous pressure. The jugular vein is a common site for the insertion of a central venous catheter, and the jugular tubercle is often used as a reference point for the location of the vein.
It is also a useful reference point for the diagnosis and treatment of various disorders of the head and neck region. For example, the jugular foramen is a common site for the development of jugular foramen syndrome, which is a group of symptoms that can occur when there is pressure on the nerves or blood vessels passing through the jugular foramen. Jugular foramen syndrome can cause symptoms such as difficulty swallowing, hoarseness, and facial weakness, and can be diagnosed and treated using imaging techniques such as CT or MRI scans.
The jugular tubercle is also an important structure in forensic anthropology. The shape and size of the jugular tubercle can be used to help identify the sex and ancestry of a deceased individual, and can be useful in the identification of human remains.
