Is the Jugular Venous Pressure (JVP) measured lateral to the sternocleidomastoid muscle?

From the Research

Jugular Venous Pressure Measurement

• The Jugular Venous Pressure (JVP) is typically measured by assessing the height of the jugular venous column above the sternal angle or the clavicle 1.
• However, the exact location of measurement in relation to the sternocleidomastoid muscle is not explicitly stated in the provided studies.
• One study mentions that the internal jugular vein is located along an axial line drawn superiorly from the lateral edge of the bony depression caused by the insertion of the sternocleidomastoid muscle on the superior edge of the clavicle 2.
• Another study notes that the top of the internal jugular vein column is located less than 25% of the distance from the clavicle to the angle of the jaw in the majority of healthy adults 3.
• There is no direct evidence to suggest that JVP is measured lateral to the sternocleidomastoid muscle, but rather that the muscle is used as a landmark to locate the internal jugular vein.

Landmarks for JVP Measurement

• The sternal angle is commonly used as a reference point for measuring JVP 4, 1.
• The clavicle is also used as a landmark, with the height of the jugular venous column measured above it 1.
• The angle of the jaw is used as a reference point in one study to locate the top of the internal jugular vein column 3.

Ultrasound Measurement of JVP

• Ultrasound can be used to measure JVP and has been shown to be more reliable than clinical examination 3, 5.
• The ultrasound measurement of JVP has been correlated with invasive measurements of central venous pressure, but has been shown to underestimate it 5.