part of part of tributary of tributary of vessel drains blood from system head external jugular vein external ear head blood vessel auricular vein Any vein serving the ear region. UMLS:C2698201 MA:0003054 UBERON:0006197 In humans this refers to either the anterior or posterior auricular vein, passing in front of or behind the ear. This class also groups other auricular veins, including the greater, ventral, central auricular nerves. These may exhibit different branching structures. In the pig, the external jugular branches to the maxillary to the caudal auricular to the middle auricular, then onto various unique patterns NCIT:C77673 vena auriculares EMAPA:37136 venae auriculares craniocervical region vein