American Board of Surgery Qualifying Exam (ABS QE) Practice Test

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Prepare for the ABS QE with flashcards and multiple-choice questions. Each question provides hints and explanations to enhance understanding. Start your journey to becoming a certified surgeon and tackle your exam with confidence!

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The middle thyroid vein also drains into which of the following?

External jugular vein
Internal jugular vein
Subclavian vein
Innominate vein

The correct answer is: Internal jugular vein

The middle thyroid vein is an important structure in the venous drainage of the thyroid gland. Its primary function is to collect blood from the thyroid and channel it back into the systemic circulation. The correct answer indicates that the middle thyroid vein drains into the internal jugular vein. This is significant because the internal jugular vein is a major vessel responsible for draining blood from the head and neck region, including the thyroid gland. Typically, the middle thyroid vein drains blood from the isthmus and lateral lobes of the thyroid gland directly into the internal jugular vein, thereby facilitating efficient blood return from the thyroid back towards the heart. This connection is critical for maintaining proper blood flow dynamics in the neck region. Other options, while they represent different veins within the venous system, do not serve as direct drainage points for the middle thyroid vein. For instance, the external jugular vein primarily drains other structures in the face and neck and is more superficial, while the subclavian vein collects blood from the arms and upper body regions. The innominate vein, also known as the brachiocephalic vein, is further down the drainage pathway and does not receive blood directly from the middle thyroid vein.