Inferior ophthalmic vein
The inferior ophthalmic vein is a vein of the orbit around the eye. It receives veins from many structures. It divides into two branches, one of which ends in the pterygoid plexus through the inferior orbital fissure, and the other which ends in the cavernous sinus through the superior orbital fissure. It drains blood from the inferior rectus muscle, the inferior oblique muscle, the lateral rectus muscle, the inferior conjunctiva, and the lacrimal sac. It can be affected in periorbital cellulitis.
| Inferior ophthalmic vein | |
|---|---|
 Veins of orbit. | |
| Details | |
| Source | Vorticose veins |
| Drains to | Superior ophthalmic vein and cavernous sinus |
| Artery | Ophthalmic artery |
| Identifiers | |
| Latin | Vena ophthalmica inferior |
| TA98 | A12.3.06.117 |
| TA2 | 4900 |
| FMA | 51247 |
| Anatomical terminology | |
Structure
The inferior ophthalmic vein begins in a venous network at the anterior floor and medial wall of the orbit.[1] It receives some vorticose veins, and other veins from the inferior rectus muscle, the inferior oblique muscle, the lateral rectus muscle, the lacrimal sac, and the conjunctiva.[1] It runs backward in the lower part of the orbit, lying above the inferior rectus muscle.
The inferior ophthalmic vein divides into two branches.[1] One branch passes through the inferior orbital fissure, and joins the pterygoid venous plexus.[1] The other branch enters the skull through the superior orbital fissure, and ends in the cavernous sinus.[1][2] It drains either by a separate opening, or more frequently by merging with the superior ophthalmic vein.[1]
Function
The inferior ophthalmic vein drains the orbit.[1][3] It drains blood from the inferior rectus muscle, the inferior oblique muscle, the lateral rectus muscle, the inferior conjunctiva, and the lacrimal sac.[1] The superior ophthalmic vein also helps to drain the orbit.[1]
Clinical significance
In periorbital cellulitis, the inferior ophthalmic vein may be compressed.[4] This can increase pressure, causing oedema.[4]
See also
References
This article incorporates text in the public domain from page 659 of the 20th edition of Gray's Anatomy (1918)
- 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.
- Tabani, Halima; Meybodi, Ali Tabeya; Benet, Arnau (2020). "3 - Venous anatomy of the supratentorial compartment". Handbook of Clinical Neurology. Vol. 169. Elsevier. pp. 55–71. doi:10.1016/B978-0-12-804280-9.00003-2. ISBN 978-0-12-804280-9. ISSN 0072-9752.
- Semmer, A. E.; McLoon, L. K.; Lee, M. S. (2010). "Orbital Vascular Anatomy". Encyclopedia of the Eye. Academic Press. pp. 241–251. doi:10.1016/B978-0-12-374203-2.00284-0. ISBN 978-0-12-374203-2.
- Bair-Merritt, Megan H.; Shah, Samir S. (2007). "64 - Complications of Acute Otitis Media and Sinusitis". Comprehensive Pediatric Hospital Medicine. Mosby. pp. 352–359. doi:10.1016/B978-032303004-5.50068-5. ISBN 978-0-323-03004-5.