- Superior ophthalmic vein
Infobox Vein
Name = Superior ophthalmic vein
Latin = vena ophthalmica superior
GraySubject = 171
GrayPage = 659
Caption = Veins of orbit. (Superior ophthalmic labeled at top.)
Caption2 = The sinuses at the base of the skull. (Superior ophthalmic vein labeled at upper right.)
DrainsFrom =
Source =vorticose veins
DrainsTo =cavernous sinus
Artery =ophthalmic artery
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The superior ophthalmic vein begins at the inner angle of the orbit in a vein named thenasofrontal which communicates anteriorly with theangular vein ; it pursues the same course as theophthalmic 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 thesuperior orbital fissure , and ends in thecavernous sinus .The "
ethmoidal veins " drain into the superior ophthalmic vein. [DorlandsDict|eight/000114791|ethmoidal veins]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
External links
* (NormanAnatomyFig|orbit4)
* http://www.dartmouth.edu/~humananatomy/figures/chapter_47/47-5.HTM
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