Quick Facts
Origin: Anteroinferior part of the orbit from the union of small tributaries.
Course: Runs posteriorly along the floor of the orbit.
Tributaries: Inferior vorticose veins.
Drainage: Eyeball, orbit, and facial structures.
Origin
The inferior ophthalmic vein arises at the anteroinferior part of the orbit (near the infraorbital margin) by confluence of small ciliary and muscular tributaries.
Course
The inferior ophthalmic vein runs posteriorly along the floor of the orbit and drains into the superior ophthalmic vein to subsequently drain into the cavernous sinus.
Tributaries
The inferior ophthalmic vein receives the inferior vorticose veins that drain the inferior portions of the choroid of the eyeball.
Structures Drained
The inferior ophthalmic vein drains parts of the orbit (including lower eyelid, lacrimal sac, eyeball, and lateral rectus muscles) into the cavernous sinus via the superior ophthalmic vein.
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Inferior Ophthalmic Vein
The inferior ophthalmic vein receives tributaries from the lower and lateral ocular muscles, the conjunctiva, the lacrimal sac and the two inferior vortex veins.
