Central retinal vein
The central retinal vein (retinal vein) is a short vein in the retina of the eye. It travels through the optic nerve to drain into either the superior ophthalmic vein or the cavernous sinus. It drains blood from the retina.
Central retinal vein | |
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Details | |
Drains from | Retina |
Drains to | Superior ophthalmic vein, cavernous sinus |
Artery | Central retinal artery |
Identifiers | |
Latin | Vena centralis retinae |
MeSH | D012169 |
TA98 | A12.3.06.111 |
TA2 | 4895 |
FMA | 51799 |
Anatomical terminology |
Structure
The central retinal vein runs through the centre of the optic nerve.[1] It is surrounded by fibrous connective tissue.[1] It leaves the optic nerve 10 mm from the eyeball. It drains into either the superior ophthalmic vein or the cavernous sinus.
Variation
The central retinal vein varies between individuals.[2] in some the central retinal vein drains into the superior ophthalmic vein, and in some it drains directly into the cavernous sinus.[2][3]
Function
The central retinal vein drains blood from the retina.
Clinical significance
The central retinal vein is the venous equivalent of the central retinal artery. Like that blood vessel, it can suffer from occlusion (central retinal vein occlusion).[4] This occlusion is similar to that seen in ocular ischemic syndrome.
Additional images
- Interior of posterior half of bulb of left eye. The veins are darker in appearance than the arteries.
- Eye vessels
References
- Hayreh, Sohan Singh (2017). "Central Retinal Vein Occlusion". Reference Module in Neuroscience and Biobehavioral Psychology. Elsevier. doi:10.1016/B978-0-12-809324-5.01321-3. ISBN 978-0-12-809324-5.
- Cheung, Ning; McNab, Alan A. (1 March 2003). "Venous Anatomy of the Orbit". Investigative Ophthalmology & Visual Science. 44 (3): 988–995. doi:10.1167/iovs.02-0865. ISSN 1552-5783.
- MeSH entry for central retinal vein - National Library of Medicine - Medical Subject Headings - 2007
- Moini, Jahangir; Piran, Pirouz (2020). "14 - Visual system". Functional and Clinical Neuroanatomy - A Guide for Health Care Professionals. Academic Press. pp. 417–466. doi:10.1016/B978-0-12-817424-1.00014-8. ISBN 978-0-12-817424-1.