Superior ophthalmic vein | |
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![]() Veins of orbit. (Superior ophthalmic labeled at top.) | |
![]() The sinuses at the base of the skull. (Superior ophthalmic vein labeled at upper right.) | |
Details | |
Source | Union of angular vein and supraorbital vein |
Drains to | Cavernous sinus |
Artery | Ophthalmic artery |
Identifiers | |
Latin | vena ophthalmica superior |
TA98 | A12.3.06.102 |
TA2 | 4887 |
FMA | 51246 |
Anatomical terminology |
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.
The superior ophthalmic vein can be a path for the spread of infection from the danger triangle of the face to the cavernous sinus and the pterygoid plexus. It may also be affected by an arteriovenous fistula of the cavernous sinus.
The superior ophthalmic vein - together with the inferior ophthalmic vein - represents the principal drainage system of the orbit (with the superior ophthalmic vein being the larger of the two). [1] The superior ophthalmic vein drains venous blood from structures of the upper orbit. [2] The superior ophthalmic vein forms/represents a connection between facial veins, and intracranial veins. It is valveless. [3]
The superior ophthalmic vein is the largest and the most consistently present vein of the orbit. It usually measures 2-10 mm in diameter. [1]
The superior ophthalmic vein is formed (depending upon the source) either by the union of the angular vein, and supraorbital vein, [1] [2] or by the union of two tributaries which connect anteriorly with the supraobrital vein, and the facial vein. [3]
Its origin is situated within the orbit, [2] near the superomedial orbital rim, [1] posteromedial to the upper eyelid. [3]
The superior ophthalmic vein is the only orbital vein whose course generally parallels the course of an orbital artery: it has a similar course as the ophthalmic artery [1] (however, the latter instead exits the orbit through the optic canal). [2]
Within the orbit, the superior ophthalmic vein passes posterior-ward alongside the ophthalmic artery. [1] [2] It passes inferior to the superior rectus muscle, [2] running in between this muscle and the optic nerve. [3] It runs across the optic nerve (CN II) to reach the superior portion of the superior orbital fissure through which it then exits the orbit to drain into the cavernous sinus. [2] It usually passes superior to the common tendinous ring on its way out of the orbit. [3]
Tributaries of the superior ophthalmic vein (may) include: the anterior ethmoidal vein and posterior ethmoidal vein, lacrimal vein, central retinal vein (sometimes [3] ), superior vorticose veins, [1] [2] medial palpebral veins, inferior ophthalmic vein (sometimes [3] ), and veins from the superior rectus muscle, superior oblique muscle, [1] and medial rectus muscle. [2]
The tributaries/territory drained by the superior ophthalmic vein is however somewhat variable. [1]
Structures drained by the superior ophthalmic vein includes the frontal sinus. [4]
The superior ophthalmic vein drains into the cavernous sinus. [2] [5]
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 superior ophthalmic vein through the cavernous sinus. An infection of the face may spread to the cavernous sinus through the superior ophthalmic vein. [6] This can cause cavernous sinus thrombosis. [6] This can lead to damage of the nerves running through the cavernous sinus.
When arteriovenous fistula affects the cavernous sinus, blood flow may occur backwards in the superior ophthalmic vein. [7] This can cause exophthalmos. [7] This may be treated by embolising the superior ophthalmic vein. [8]
The danger triangle of the face 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.
The oculomotor nerve, also known as the third cranial nerve, cranial nerve III, or simply CN III, is a cranial nerve that enters the orbit through the superior orbital fissure and innervates extraocular muscles that enable most movements of the eye and that raise the eyelid. The nerve also contains fibers that innervate the intrinsic eye muscles that enable pupillary constriction and accommodation. The oculomotor nerve is derived from the basal plate of the embryonic midbrain. Cranial nerves IV and VI also participate in control of eye movement.
The internal carotid artery is an artery in the neck which supplies the anterior circulation of the brain.
In anatomy, the orbit is the cavity or socket/hole of the skull in which the eye and its appendages are situated. "Orbit" can refer to the bony socket, or it can also be used to imply the contents. In the adult human, the volume of the orbit is 30 millilitres, of which the eye occupies 6.5 ml. The orbital contents comprise the eye, the orbital and retrobulbar fascia, extraocular muscles, cranial nerves II, III, IV, V, and VI, blood vessels, fat, the lacrimal gland with its sac and duct, the eyelids, medial and lateral palpebral ligaments, cheek ligaments, the suspensory ligament, septum, ciliary ganglion and short ciliary 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.
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.
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.
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.
The nasociliary nerve is a branch of the ophthalmic nerve (CN V1) (which is in turn a branch of the trigeminal nerve (CN V)). It is intermediate in size between the other two branches of the ophthalmic nerve, the frontal nerve and lacrimal nerve.
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.
The anterior ethmoidal artery is a branch of the ophthalmic artery in the orbit. It exits the orbit through the anterior ethmoidal foramen alongside the anterior ethmoidal nerve. It contributes blood supply to the ethmoid sinuses, frontal sinuses, the dura mater, lateral nasal wall, and nasal septum. It issues a meningeal branch, and nasal branches.
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.
The lacrimal artery is an artery of the orbit. It is a branch of the ophthalmic artery. It accompanies the lacrimal nerve along the upper border of the lateral rectus muscle, travelling forward to reach the lacrimal gland. It supplies the lacrimal gland, two rectus muscles of the eye, the eyelids, and the conjunctiva.
The posterior ethmoidal nerve is a nerve of the head. It is a branch of the nasociliary nerve (itself a branch of the ophthalmic nerve (CN V1)). It provides sensory innervation to the sphenoid sinus and ethmoid sinus, and part of the dura mater in the anterior cranial fossa.
The posterior ethmoidal artery is an artery of the head which arises from the ophthalmic artery to supply the posterior ethmoidal air cells, and the meninges. It is smaller than the anterior ethmoidal artery.
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.
The supratrochlear artery is one of the terminal branches of the ophthalmic artery. It arises within the orbit. It exits the orbit alongside the supratrochlear nerve. It contributes arterial supply to the skin, muscles and pericranium of the forehead.
The anterior ciliary arteries are seven arteries in each eye-socket that arise from muscular branches of the ophthalmic artery and supply the conjunctiva, sclera, rectus muscles, and the ciliary body. The arteries end by anastomosing with branches of the long posterior ciliary arteries to form the circulus arteriosus major.
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.
The following outline is provided as an overview of and topical guide to human anatomy:
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