Catalog of Clinical
Images
External Jugular Vein Distention: The picture on the left demonstrates
a markedly distended
right external jugular vein (EJV). This is the result of elevated central venous
pressure (CVP). The picture
on the right demonstrates the effect of hepatic pressure on the appearance of
the EJV (i.e. vein becomes
more engorged). In practice the EJV is not as reliable in determining CVP as the
internal jugular vein
(not visualized here) due to the fact that it sometimes has valves and is not
in a direct line with the right
atrium. Pressure on the liver, however, will have similar impact on the appearance
of the IJV as
demonstrated above for the EJV. This is referred to as hepatojugular reflux.
For comments or other information contact: Charlie
Goldberg, M.D.
Copyright ©2005, The Regents of the University
of California.
All rights reserved. Last updated 8/25/05.
