Definition

1. Noun:
   • A major vein in the neck: The jugular vein is any of several large veins in the neck that carry deoxygenated blood from the head back to the heart.

Usage

• The term "jugular vein" is used in medical, anatomical, and general contexts to refer to these specific blood vessels. It is often discussed in relation to physiology, health, and injury.

Examples

• Noun:
  • The doctor carefully avoided the jugular vein during the procedure.
  • Pressure must be applied to the wound to stop bleeding from the jugular vein.
  • The internal jugular vein is larger and deeper than the external one.

Advanced Usage

• "To go for the jugular": This is an idiomatic expression meaning to attack a vital or vulnerable point in an argument or competition, often ruthlessly. It is a metaphorical use derived from the physical vulnerability of the jugular vein.
  • During the debate, the candidate went straight for the jugular, exposing his opponent's weakest argument.

Variants and Related Words

• Jugular (noun/adjective): Pertaining to the neck or throat. As a noun, it can be used informally to mean the jugular vein itself.
  • The predator aimed for the jugular.
• Internal jugular vein: The larger, deeper vein that runs vertically down the neck.
• External jugular vein: The smaller, more superficial vein that is often visible.

Synonyms

• Neck vein: A general, non-technical term.
• Vena jugularis: The Latin anatomical term.

Related Idioms

• "To go for the jugular": As described in Advanced Usage, this is the primary idiom associated with the term.

Noun

1. veins in the neck that return blood from the head