Final answer:
The vagus nerve is lateral to the internal jugular vein, which drains blood from the brain and other areas of the head and neck.
Step-by-step explanation:
The nerve that is lateral to the internal jugular vein is the vagus nerve (cranial nerve X). The internal jugular vein is a major vein located in the neck region, responsible for draining blood from the brain, receiving flow from the superficial facial vein, and emptying into the subclavian vein.
In anatomical terms, the vagus nerve is situated between the internal jugular vein and the internal carotid artery as they pass through the carotid sheath. The internal jugular vein receives blood from various sinuses within the brain, including blood from the transverse sinuses via the sigmoid sinuses, and from the cavernous sinus, as depicted in Figure 20.37 illustrating the veins of the head and neck.