What is "superior ophthalmic vein"

n. a vein that begins at the inner angle of the eye socket and passes through the superior orbital fissure to empty into the cavernous sinus

The superior ophthalmic vein begins at the inner angle of the orbit in a vein named the nasofrontal which communicates anteriorly with the angular vein; it pursues the same course as the ophthalmic artery, and receives tributaries corresponding to the branches of that vessel.

Forming a short single trunk, it passes between the two heads of the Rectus lateralis and through the medial part of the superior orbital fissure, and ends in the cavernous sinus.

The ethmoidal veins drain into the superior ophthalmic vein.

Vorticose veins also drain into the superior ophthalmic vein.