**Core Concept:** The face is divided into different regions based on the veins draining from those areas. The knowledge of these veins helps in understanding venous drainage and can be useful in clinical scenarios related to facial swelling or trauma.

**Why the Correct Answer is Right:** The correct answer, **Option D: External jugular vein**, is the main vein draining the lateral and posterior parts of the face. The external jugular vein (IJV) is a large vein that carries deoxygenated blood from the head and neck to the heart. It is located deep to the sternocleidomastoid muscle, running along the posterior border of the muscle and then along the posterior border of the sternocleidomastoid muscle to the internal jugular vein (IJV) at the angle of the jaw.

**Why Each Wrong Option is Incorrect:**

A. **Option A: Facial vein**: The facial vein (FV) is a superficial vein draining the anterior parts of the face, not the lateral and posterior parts. It does not connect to the internal jugular vein.

B. **Option B: Inferior thyroid vein**: The inferior thyroid vein (ITHV) is a vein that drains the thyroid gland and the lower part of the neck, not the face. It does not connect to the internal jugular vein.

C. **Option C: Superior thyroid vein**: The superior thyroid vein (STV) is a vein that drains the upper part of the thyroid gland, not the face. It does not connect to the internal jugular vein.

**Clinical Pearl:** Understanding the anatomy of facial veins is crucial in clinical scenarios involving facial swelling or edema, as it helps in differentiating between local causes (e.g., facial cellulitis) and systemic causes (e.g., congestive heart failure).

**Correct Answer:** **Option D: External jugular vein** is the correct answer as it is the main vein draining the lateral and posterior parts of the face and connects to the internal jugular vein (IJV) at the angle of the jaw, allowing deoxygenated blood to be transported to the heart for oxygenation.