Search research articles

ABOUT JoVE

Overview Leadership Blog JoVE Help Center

AUTHORS

Publishing Process Editorial Board Scope & Policies Peer Review FAQ Submit

LIBRARIANS

Testimonials Subscriptions Access Resources Library Advisory Board FAQ

RESEARCH

JoVE Journal Methods Collections JoVE Encyclopedia of Experiments Archive

EDUCATION

JoVE Core JoVE Business JoVE Science Education JoVE Lab Manual Faculty Resource Center Faculty Site

Terms & Conditions of Use

Related Concept Videos

Veins of Head and Neck

Veins of Head and Neck

The blood drainage from the head and neck is primarily managed by three pairs of veins: the external jugular, internal jugular, and vertebral veins. The external jugular veins drain superficial scalp and face structures, passing over the sternocleidomastoid muscles to empty into the subclavian veins.
On the other hand, the vertebral veins, unlike their arterial counterparts, are not primarily responsible for brain drainage. Instead, they drain the cervical vertebrae, spinal cord, and some small...

Hemodialysis I: Introduction

Hemodialysis I: Introduction

Hemodialysis (HD) is a medical treatment that artificially removes waste products, excess fluids, and toxins from the blood when the kidneys are no longer able to perform these functions effectively. In this process, blood is filtered through a semipermeable membrane, allowing for the selective removal of waste while preserving necessary components like blood cells and proteins. Hemodialysis is typically performed in patients with end-stage renal disease (ESRD) or severe kidney...

You might also read

Related Articles

Articles linked to this work by shared authors, journal, and citation graph.

Sort by

Same author

Trial analysis by treatment allocated or by treatment received? Origins of 'the intention-to-treat principle' to reduce allocation bias: Part 2.

Journal of the Royal Society of Medicine·2023

Same author

Trial analysis by treatment allocated or by treatment received? Origins of 'the intention-to-treat principle' to reduce allocation bias: Part 1.

Journal of the Royal Society of Medicine·2023

Same author

Key concepts for informed health choices. 3.1: evidence should be relevant.

Journal of the Royal Society of Medicine·2022

Same author

Key concepts for informed health choices. 2.1: comparisons of treatments should be fair.

Journal of the Royal Society of Medicine·2022

Same author

Key concepts for informed health choices. 2.3: descriptions of effects should clearly reflect the size of the effects.

Journal of the Royal Society of Medicine·2022

Same author

Key concepts for informed health choices. 2.4: descriptions of effects should reflect the risk of being misled by the play of chance.

Journal of the Royal Society of Medicine·2022

Search research articles

Related Experiment Video

Updated: May 17, 2026

Femoral Arterial and Venous Catheterization for Blood Sampling, Drug Administration and Conscious Blood Pressure and Heart Rate Measurements

Femoral Arterial and Venous Catheterization for Blood Sampling, Drug Administration and Conscious Blood Pressure and Heart Rate Measurements

Published on: January 24, 2012

Difficult venepuncture--it was all in the head!

K G Badami¹, I Chalmers, S Soule

¹New Zealand Blood Service, Christchurch, New Zealand. krishna.badami@nzblood.co.nz

Transfusion Medicine (Oxford, England)

|November 8, 2012

Summary

Difficult venepunctures during blood donation can signal underlying health issues. This case highlights how hard-to-puncture skin led to diagnosing acromegaly, a growth hormone disorder.

More Related Videos

Measurement of the Hepatic Venous Pressure Gradient and Transjugular Liver Biopsy

Measurement of the Hepatic Venous Pressure Gradient and Transjugular Liver Biopsy

Published on: June 18, 2020

Measurement of Pulmonary Artery Pressure in Rats Using Right Heart Catheterization

Measurement of Pulmonary Artery Pressure in Rats Using Right Heart Catheterization

Published on: December 16, 2025

Related Experiment Videos

Last Updated: May 17, 2026

Femoral Arterial and Venous Catheterization for Blood Sampling, Drug Administration and Conscious Blood Pressure and Heart Rate Measurements

Femoral Arterial and Venous Catheterization for Blood Sampling, Drug Administration and Conscious Blood Pressure and Heart Rate Measurements

Published on: January 24, 2012

Measurement of the Hepatic Venous Pressure Gradient and Transjugular Liver Biopsy

Measurement of the Hepatic Venous Pressure Gradient and Transjugular Liver Biopsy

Published on: June 18, 2020

Measurement of Pulmonary Artery Pressure in Rats Using Right Heart Catheterization

Measurement of Pulmonary Artery Pressure in Rats Using Right Heart Catheterization

Published on: December 16, 2025

Area of Science:

Endocrinology
Hematology
Medical Diagnostics

Background:

Routine blood donation involves venepuncture, a procedure that can present challenges.
Difficult venepunctures may indicate underlying, less common medical conditions.
This report details an atypical presentation of a rare disease identified during blood donation.

Observation:

The patient exhibited unusually difficult-to-puncture skin during blood donation attempts.
This skin characteristic served as the initial clinical clue.

Findings:

A diagnosis of a growth hormone-secreting pituitary adenoma was established.
The pituitary adenoma, a cause of acromegaly, was successfully treated.

Implications:

Minor clinical observations during routine procedures can be diagnostically significant.
Hard-to-puncture skin is identified as a potential presenting sign of acromegaly.
Emphasizes the value of thorough clinical assessment in blood donor services.