Inferior ophthalmic vein

Inferior ophthalmic vein
Veins of orbit.
Details
Drains toSuperior ophthalmic vein or cavernous sinus, and pterygoid venous plexus
Identifiers
Latinvena ophthalmica inferior
TA98A12.3.06.117
TA24900
FMA51247
Anatomical terminology

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.