Angular vein

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Angular vein
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Veins of the head and neck (angular visible at center right.)
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Veins of orbit.
Details
Source Supraorbital vein
Drains to Facial vein
Artery Angular artery
Identifiers
Latin vena angularis
TA98 A12.3.05.019
TA2 4818
FMA 50893
Anatomical terminology

The angular vein is a vein of the face. It is the upper part of the facial vein, above its junction with the superior labial vein. It is formed by the junction of the supratrochlear vein and supraorbital vein, and joins with the superior labial vein. It drains the medial canthus, and parts of the nose and the upper lip. It can be a route of spread of infection from the danger triangle of the face to the cavernous sinus.

Contents

Structure

The angular vein is the upper part of the facial vein, above its junction with the superior labial vein. It anastomoses with the supratrochlear vein, [1] and the supraorbital vein. [2] Its connection with the supraorbital vein forms the superior ophthalmic vein that drains through the orbit. [2] This also connects it with the inferior ophthalmic vein and the cavernous sinus. These do not have valves.[ citation needed ] The angular vein itself may not contain valves. [3] It receives the lateral nasal veins from the ala of the nose, and the inferior palpebral vein.

The angular vein lies lateral to the angular nerve. [1] It runs obliquely downward by the side of the nose. It passes under zygomaticus major muscle. It joins with the superior labial vein.[ citation needed ]

Function

The angular vein drains the medial canthus, and parts of the nose and the upper lip. [4]

Clinical significance

The angular vein may be affected by a thrombus. [5] This can create problems for endovascular treatment. [5]

Cavernous sinus thrombosis

Any infection of the mouth or face (such as the danger triangle of the face) can spread to the cavernous sinus via the angular veins. This is particularly as the veins are valveless.[ citation needed ] This can cause thrombosis. Squeezing pimples in this area should be avoided. [6]

Additional images

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Danger triangle of the face</span> Area of the face with blood supply that connects indirectly to the brain

The danger triangle of the face which consists of the area from the corners of the mouth to the bridge of the nose, including the nose and maxilla. Due to the special nature of the blood supply to the human nose and surrounding area, it is possible for retrograde infection from the nasal area to spread to the brain, causing cavernous sinus thrombosis, meningitis, or brain abscess.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Supraorbital nerve</span> Branch of the frontal nerve

The supraorbital nerve is one of two branches of the frontal nerve, itself a branch of the ophthalmic nerve. The other branch of the frontal nerve is the supratrochlear nerve.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Superior orbital fissure</span> Foramen in the skull allowing for passage of cranial nerves

The superior orbital fissure is a foramen or cleft of the skull between the lesser and greater wings of the sphenoid bone. It gives passage to multiple structures, including the oculomotor nerve, trochlear nerve, ophthalmic nerve, abducens nerve, ophthalmic veins, and sympathetic fibres from the cavernous plexus.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ophthalmic artery</span> Artery of the head

The ophthalmic artery (OA) is an artery of the head. It is the first branch of the internal carotid artery distal to the cavernous sinus. Branches of the ophthalmic artery supply all the structures in the orbit around the eye, as well as some structures in the nose, face, and meninges. Occlusion of the ophthalmic artery or its branches can produce sight-threatening conditions.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Cavernous sinus</span> Sinus in the human head

The cavernous sinus within the human head is one of the dural venous sinuses creating a cavity called the lateral sellar compartment bordered by the temporal bone of the skull and the sphenoid bone, lateral to the sella turcica.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ophthalmic nerve</span> Sensory nerve of the face

The ophthalmic nerve (CN V1) is a sensory nerve of the head. It is one of three divisions of the trigeminal nerve (CN V), a cranial nerve. It has three major branches which provide sensory innervation to the eye, and the skin of the upper face and anterior scalp, as well as other structures of the head.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Occipitofrontalis muscle</span> Facial muscle helping to create facial expressions

The occipitofrontalis muscle is a muscle which covers parts of the skull. It consists of two parts or bellies: the occipital belly, near the occipital bone, and the frontal belly, near the frontal bone. It is supplied by the supraorbital artery, the supratrochlear artery, and the occipital artery. It is innervated by the facial nerve. In humans, the occipitofrontalis helps to create facial expressions.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Superior ophthalmic vein</span> Vein of the orbit around the eye

The superior ophthalmic vein is a vein of the orbit that drains venous blood from structures of the upper orbit. It is formed by the union of the angular vein, and supraorbital vein. It passes backwards within the orbit alongside the ophthalmic artery, then exits the orbit through the superior orbital fissure to drain into the cavernous sinus.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Frontal nerve</span> Nerve supplying the forehead, frontal sinus, and upper eyelid

The frontal nerve is the largest branch of the ophthalmic nerve (V1), itself a branch of the trigeminal nerve (CN V). It supplies sensation to the skin of the forehead, the mucosa of the frontal sinus, and the skin of the upper eyelid. It may be affected by schwannoma.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Supratrochlear nerve</span> Nerve of the forehead

The supratrochlear nerve is a branch of the frontal nerve, itself a branch of the ophthalmic nerve (CN V1) from the trigeminal nerve (CN V). It provides sensory innervation to the skin of the forehead and the upper eyelid.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Inferior ophthalmic vein</span> Vein of the orbit around the eye

The inferior ophthalmic vein is a vein of the orbit that - together with the superior ophthalmic vein - represents the principal drainage system of the orbit. It begins from a venous network in the front of the orbit, then passes backwards through the lower orbit. It drains several structures of the orbit. It may end by splitting into two branches, one draining into the pterygoid venous plexus and the other ultimately into the cavernous sinus.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Supraorbital vein</span> Vein of the forehead

The supraorbital vein is a vein of the forehead. It communicates with the frontal branch of the superficial temporal vein. It passes through the supraorbital notch, and merges with the angular vein to form the superior ophthalmic vein. The supraorbital vein helps to drain blood from the forehead, eyebrow, and upper eyelid.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Angular artery</span> Artery of the face

The angular artery is an artery of the face. It is the terminal part of the facial artery. It ascends to the medial angle of the eye's orbit. It is accompanied by the angular vein. It ends by anastomosing with the dorsal nasal branch of the ophthalmic artery. It supplies the lacrimal sac, the orbicularis oculi muscle, and the outer side of the nose.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Supraorbital artery</span>

The supraorbital artery is a branch of the ophthalmic artery. It passes anteriorly within the orbit to exit the orbit through the supraorbital foramen or notch alongside the supraorbital nerve, splitting into two terminal branches which go on to form anastomoses with arteries of the head.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Cavernous sinus thrombosis</span> Medical condition

Cavernous sinus thrombosis (CST) is the formation of a blood clot within the cavernous sinus, a cavity at the base of the brain which drains deoxygenated blood from the brain back to the heart. This is a rare disorder and can be of two types–septic cavernous thrombosis and aseptic cavernous thrombosis. The most common form is septic cavernous sinus thrombosis. The cause is usually from a spreading infection in the nose, sinuses, ears, or teeth. Staphylococcus aureus and Streptococcus are often the associated bacteria.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Nasofrontal vein</span> Vein in the orbit around the eye

The nasofrontal vein is a vein in the orbit around the eye. It drains into the superior ophthalmic vein. It can be used for endovascular access to the cavernous sinus.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Human nose</span> Feature of the human face

The human nose is the first organ of the respiratory system. It is also the principal organ in the olfactory system. The shape of the nose is determined by the nasal bones and the nasal cartilages, including the nasal septum which separates the nostrils and divides the nasal cavity into two.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Central retinal vein</span> Vein in the retina of the eye

The central retinal vein is a vein that drains the retina of the eye. It travels backwards through the centre of the optic nerve accompanied by the central retinal artery before exiting the optic nerve together with the central retinal artery to drain into either the superior ophthalmic vein or the cavernous sinus.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Canine space</span>

The canine space, is a fascial space of the head and neck. It is a thin potential space on the face, and is paired on either side. It is located between the levator anguli oris muscle inferiorly and the levator labii superioris muscle superiorly. The term is derived from the fact that the space is in the region of the canine fossa, and that infections originating from the maxillary canine tooth may spread to involve the space. Infra-orbital is derived from infra- meaning below and orbit which refers to the eye socket.

References

PD-icon.svgThis article incorporates text in the public domain from page 645 of the 20th edition of Gray's Anatomy (1918)

  1. 1 2 Caminer, D. M.; Newman, M. I.; Boyd, J. B. (1 April 2006). "Angular nerve: New insights on innervation of the corrugator supercilii and procerus muscles". Journal of Plastic, Reconstructive & Aesthetic Surgery. 59 (4): 366–372. doi:10.1016/j.bjps.2005.09.011. ISSN   1748-6815. PMID   16756251.
  2. 1 2 Remington, Lee Ann (2012). "11 - Orbital Blood Supply". Clinical Anatomy and Physiology of the Visual System (3rd ed.). Butterworth-Heinemann. pp. 202–217. doi:10.1016/B978-1-4377-1926-0.10011-6. ISBN   978-1-4377-1926-0.
  3. ↑ Zhang, John; Stringer, Mark D. (2010). "Ophthalmic and facial veins are not valveless". Clinical & Experimental Ophthalmology. 38 (5): 502–510. doi: 10.1111/j.1442-9071.2010.02325.x . ISSN   1442-9071. PMID   20491800. S2CID   45698367.
  4. ↑ Irmak, M. K.; Korkmaz, A.; Erogul, O. (2004-01-01). "Selective brain cooling seems to be a mechanism leading to human craniofacial diversity observed in different geographical regions". Medical Hypotheses. 63 (6): 974–979. doi:10.1016/j.mehy.2004.05.003. ISSN   0306-9877. PMID   15504564.
  5. 1 2 Catapano, Joshua S.; Cole, Tyler S.; Albuquerque, Felipe C. (2021). "9 - Hybrid surgical and endovascular treatment". Cerebral Dural Arteriovenous Fistulas. Academic Press. pp. 125–134. doi:10.1016/B978-0-12-819525-3.00004-6. ISBN   978-0-12-819525-3. S2CID   234119518.
  6. ↑ Önerci, T. Metin (2009). Diagnosis in Otorhinolaryngology. Springer-Verlag Berlin Heidelberg. p. 70. ISBN   978-3-642-00498-8.
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