The blood from the head is returned by the jugular veins.

The external jugular vein begins near the angle of the jaw by the union of two smaller veins, the auricular and the temporo-maxillary veins. It descends in a nearly vertical direction, and terminates in the subclavian vein.

The anterior jugular vein begins by the union of some small veins in the submaxillary region ; it descends near the middle line, and opens into the external jugular or subclavian vein.

The venous system within the skull consists of veins and channels between the membranes, called sinuses, which receive the blood from the veins and convey it to the internal jugular vein, the largest venous channel of the neck. It enters the neck directly from the lateral sinus through the jugular foramen, and proceeds downwards to the inner end of the clavicle (receiving blood from the face, mouth, and throat), where it joins the subclavian and forms the innominate vein.

The blood from the limbs is returned by a superficial and deep set of veins.

The blood from the spine, walls of thorax and abdomen, is returned chiefly by the azygos veins.