Anatomy Atlases: Illustrated Encyclopedia of Human Anatomic Variation: Opus II: Cardiovascular System: Veins: Head, Neck, and Thorax: Superior Ophthalmic Vein

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Illustrated Encyclopedia of Human Anatomic Variation: Opus II: Cardiovascular System: Veins: Head, Neck, and Thorax

Superior Ophthalmic Vein

Ronald A. Bergman, PhD
Adel K. Afifi, MD, MS
Ryosuke Miyauchi, MD
Peer Review Status: Internally Peer Reviewed

The ophthalmic vein may open into the circular sinus or it may establish connections with cerebral veins. [The circular sinus encircles the hypophysis cerebri. It is composed of the two cavernous sinuses and their communications across the median line by means of the anterior and posterior intercavernous sinuses. The intercavernous sinuses are small and they cross the median line at the front and back of the hypophysis.]

The superior ophthalmic vein may have no deep connections and may open into the frontal or supraorbital vein.

A secondary connection with with the sagittal sinus may be made.

The lacrimal vein may remain independent and open into the cavernous sinus or be connected with the temporal vein.

The ophthalmicomeningeal vein (of Hyrtl) is an anatomosis between the meningeal and cerebral veins. A small inferior cerebral vein, the ophthalmomeningeal vein, establishes a communication between the cerebral veins and those of the orbit. It communicates with the veins of the base of the brain and is usually drained by the superior ophthalmic vein. It occasionally opens into the superior petrosal sinus.

References

Anson, B.J., Ed. (1966) Morris' Human Anatomy, 12th ed., The Blakiston Division, McGraw-Hill Book Company, New York.

Poynter, C.W.M. (1922) Congenital Anomalies of the arteries and veins of the human body with bibliography. The University Studies of the University of Nebraska 22:1-106.

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