Head and neck anatomy may be important in the development of the BBB. Astrocytes may also be responsible for transporting ions (electrolytes) from the brain to the blood. Blood from the brain and neck flows from: (1) within the cranium via the internal jugular veins, a continuation of the sigmoid sinuses. The right and left external jugular veins drain from the parotid glands, facial muscles, scalp into the subclavian veins. The right and left vertebral veins drain the vertebrae and muscles into the right subclavian vein and into the superior vena cava, into the right atrium of the heart. The lymphatic system drains the
Basivertebral veins vertebral plexuses. The basivertebral veins become greatly enlarged in advanced age. Basivertebral veins The basivertebral veins are veins within the vertebral column. They are contained in large, tortuous channels in the substance of the bones, similar in every respect to those found in the diploë of the cranial bones. They emerge from the foramina on the posterior surfaces of the vertebral bodies. They communicate through small openings on the front and sides of the vertebral bodies with the anterior external vertebral plexuses, and converge behind to the principal canal, which is sometimes double toward its posterior part, and open by