Superior ophthalmic vein
Encyclopedia
The superior ophthalmic vein begins at the inner angle of the orbit in a vein named the nasofrontal which communicates anteriorly with the angular vein
; it pursues the same course as the ophthalmic artery
, and receives tributaries corresponding to the branches of that vessel.
Forming a short single trunk, it passes between the two heads of the Rectus lateralis and through the medial part of the superior orbital fissure, and ends in the cavernous sinus
.
The ethmoidal veins
drain into the superior ophthalmic vein.
Vorticose veins
also drain into the superior ophthalmic vein.
) usually drain through the facial vein, via the ophthalmic vein through the cavernous sinus. As a result, an infection of the face may spread to the cavernous sinus and pterygoid venous plexus. This can lead to damage of the nerves running through the cavernous sinus.
Angular vein
The angular vein formed by the junction of the frontal vein and supraorbital vein, runs obliquely downward, on the side of the root of the nose, to the level of the lower margin of the orbit, where it becomes the anterior facial vein....
; it pursues the same course as the ophthalmic artery
Ophthalmic artery
The ophthalmic artery is the first branch of the internal carotid artery distal to the cavernous sinus. Branches of the OA supply all the structures in the orbit as well as some structures in the nose, face and meninges...
, and receives tributaries corresponding to the branches of that vessel.
Forming a short single trunk, it passes between the two heads of the Rectus lateralis and through the medial part of the superior orbital fissure, and ends in the cavernous sinus
Cavernous sinus
The cavernous sinus , within the human head, is a large collection of thin-walled veins creating a cavity bordered by the temporal bone of the skull and the sphenoid bone, lateral to the sella turcica.-Contents:...
.
The ethmoidal veins
Ethmoidal veins
The ethmoidal veins are the venae comitantes of the ethmoidal arteries....
drain into the superior ophthalmic vein.
Vorticose veins
Vorticose veins
The vorticose veins, referred to clinically as the vortex veins, drain the ocular choroid. The number of vortex veins is known to vary from 4 to 8 with about 65% of the normal population having 4 or 5. In most cases, there is at least one vortex vein in each quadrant...
also drain into the superior ophthalmic vein.
Clinical relevance
The medial angle of the eye, nose and lips (known as the danger triangle of the faceDanger triangle of the face
The dangerous triangle of the face or maxillofacial death pyramid consists of the area from the corners of the mouth to the bridge of the nose, including the nose and maxilla...
) usually drain through the facial vein, via the ophthalmic vein through the cavernous sinus. As a result, an infection of the face may spread to the cavernous sinus and pterygoid venous plexus. This can lead to damage of the nerves running through the cavernous sinus.
External links
- http://www.dartmouth.edu/~humananatomy/figures/chapter_47/47-5.HTM