What are the veins that transport blood from the head back to the heart called?

The term that describes the veins responsible for transporting blood from the head back to the heart is the jugular veins. These vessels play a crucial role in the venous drainage of the brain, face, and neck. There are two primary jugular veins on each side of the neck: the internal jugular vein, which drains blood from the brain and larger neck structures, and the external jugular vein, which drains blood from the superficial structures of the head and neck.

The veins function to collect deoxygenated blood and return it to the heart, specifically to the superior vena cava, which then empties into the right atrium. This process is essential for maintaining proper blood circulation and ensuring that waste products from the brain and surrounding tissues are effectively removed.

In contrast, the carotid arteries are responsible for supplying oxygen-rich blood to the brain and face, while the subclavian veins primarily transport blood from the upper limbs and regions inferior to the neck back to the heart. The cephalic veins are smaller veins that also help drain the arm but do not play a direct role in the drainage from the head.