Veins of Thyroid Gland

Three pairs of thyroid veins usually form a thyroid plexus of veins on the anterior surface of the thyroid gland and anterior to the trachea. The superior thyroid veins accompany the superior thyroid arteries; they drain the superior poles of the thyroid gland; the middle thyroid veins do not accompany but run essentially parallel courses with the inferior thyroid arteries; they drain the middle of the lobes. The usually independent inferior thyroid veins drain the inferior poles. The superior and middle thyroid veins drain into the IJVs; the inferior thyroid veins drain into the brachiocephalic veins posterior to the manubrium.