Superior ophthalmic vein

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 does not pursue the same course as the ophthalmic artery (which instead passes through the optic canal) and receives tributaries corresponding to the branches of that vessel.

Superior ophthalmic vein
Veins of orbit. (Superior ophthalmic labeled at top.)
The sinuses at the base of the skull. (Superior ophthalmic vein labeled at upper right.)
Details
Sourcevorticose veins
Drains tocavernous sinus
Arteryophthalmic artery
Identifiers
Latinvena ophthalmica superior
TAA12.3.06.102
FMA51246
Anatomical terminology

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.[1]

Vorticose veins 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 face) 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.

References

This article incorporates text in the public domain from page 659 of the 20th edition of Gray's Anatomy (1918)

  1. "Ethmoidal veins" at Dorland's Medical Dictionary
  • lesson3 at The Anatomy Lesson by Wesley Norman (Georgetown University) (orbit4)
  • "Figure 47-5". Dartmouth.edu. Retrieved 2016-08-09.


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