The lingual vein is a blood vessel that arises from the union of the dorsal lingual vein and the deep lingual vein. The lingual vein passes adjacent to the hyoglossus muscle and drains into the internal jugular vein.

The main tributaries of the lingual vein are the following:

Dorsal lingual vein
Deep lingual vein
Sublingual vein
Vena comitans of hypoglossal nerve

The dorsal lingual vein joins the lingual vein accompanying the lingual artery and near the greater horn of the hyoid bone drains into the internal jugular vein. The dorsal lingual vein collects venous blood from the dorsum and sides of the tongue.

The deep lingual vein arises near the tip of the tongue, passes posteriorly below the mucous membrane on the inferior surface of the tongue. Further, near the anterior border of the hyoglossus, the deep lingual vein unites with the sublingual vein forming the vena comitans of the hypoglossal nerve that passes backwards and joins the lingual, facial, or internal jugular vein.

In general, the lingual vein collects venous blood from the muscles and mucosa of the tongue, floor of the oral cavity, and from the salivary glands.

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Lingual vein