Inferior ophthalmic vein

Inferior ophthalmic vein
Veins of orbit.
Details
Drains to	Superior ophthalmic vein or cavernous sinus, and pterygoid venous plexus
Identifiers
Latin	vena ophthalmica inferior
TA98	A12.3.06.117
TA2	4900
FMA	51247
Anatomical terminology [edit on Wikidata]

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 (i.e. directly or indirectly) into the cavernous sinus.

Structure

The inferior ophthalmic vein - together with the superior ophthalmic vein - represents the principal drainage system of the orbit.^[1] It forms/represents a connection between facial veins, and intracranial veins. It is valveless.^[2]

Origin

The inferior ophthalmic vein originates from a venous network at the anterior part of the floor^[3][2] and anterior part of the medial wall of the orbit.^[2]

Course

The inferior ophthalmic vein passes posterior-ward through the inferior orbit^[4] upon the inferior rectus muscle. It passes across (not through) the inferior orbital fissure before either draining into the superior ophthalmic vein within the orbit, or passing through or below the common tendinous ring and exiting the orbit through the superior orbital fissure to empty into the cavernous sinus.^[2]

Distribution

The inferior ophthalmic vein drains venous blood from the inferior rectus muscle, inferior oblique muscle, lateral rectus muscle, lacrimal sac, lower conjunctiva, and lower vorticose veins.^[3]

Fate

The inferior ophthalmic vein empties either into the superior ophthalmic vein (which subsequently drains into the cavernous sinus), or into the cavernous sinus directly.^[2]

Depending upon the source, it may^[3] terminate by splitting into two branches: one passing through the superior orbital fissure to drain into the superior ophthalmic vein or cavernous sinus; another passing through the inferior orbital fissure to empty into the pterygoid venous plexus.^[3][4] The branch to the pterygoid venous plexus may however instead be considered not a terminal branch but rather a communicating branch.^[2]

Clinical significance

In periorbital cellulitis, the inferior ophthalmic vein may be compressed.^[5] This can increase pressure, causing oedema.^[5]

See also

• Superior ophthalmic vein

References

1. 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.
2. Standring, Susan (2020). Gray's Anatomy: The Anatomical Basis of Clinical Practice (42nd ed.). New York. p. 780. ISBN 978-0-7020-7707-4. OCLC 1201341621.
3. 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.
4. Gray, Henry (1918). Gray's Anatomy (20th ed.). p. 659.
5. 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.