VELXS OF THP: scalp AXD face 613 



and coiumunicates freely with the vein of the opposite side, across the o;lal)ella or 

 root of the nose, by a transverse branch sometimes called the transverse nasal 

 vein. Just V)efore its termination it receives tlie supraorl)ital vein. 'J'hc ti-ansverst^ 

 nasal vein usually receives the dorsal veins of the nose. 



The supraorbital vein l^egins over the frontal eminences l)y intercommunica- 

 tions with the anterior l)ranch of the superficial temporal vein. It receives tribu- 

 taries from the forehead and eyebrow, and, running oliliquely downwards and 

 inwards, oi)ens into the termination of the frontal vein. It conmiunicates with 

 the ophthalmic vein, and receives the frontal vein of the diploe as the latter vein 

 issues from the bone at the liottom of the supraorbital notch. 



(2) The angular vein, the continuation of the frontal vein downwards, extends 

 from the juncti(jn of the frontal and supraorl)ital veins a little below the level of 

 the eyebrow, to the level of the lower margin of the orV)it, where it becomes the 

 facial vein. In this short course it skirts round theinner margin of the orbit, lying 

 with the angular artery on the nasal process of the superior maxillary bone a little 

 internal to the lachrymal sac. Branches pass from the posterior part of the angular 

 vein into the orbit to join the ophthalmic. 



The angular, the facial, and the ophthalmic veins contain no valves. The 

 blood, therefore, can pass either forward from the ophthalmic into the angular, or 

 backwards through the facial and angular into the ophthalmic, and so on to the 

 cavernous and other venous sinuses of the cranium. Hence in certain tumours in 

 the orbit and ci'anium, the congestion of the angular and facial veins; and the 

 danger in facial car]:)uncle and anthrax of septic thrombi spreading Imckwards 

 through tlic angular and o})hthalmic veins to the cranial sinuses. 



Tributaries. — (a) The superior lateral nasal; and (6) the palpebral veins. 



(a) The superior lateral nasal veins ascend from the ala and the side of the 

 nose to join the inner side of the angular vein (fig. 885). 



(b) The palpebral veins proceed from the upper and lower eyelids, and open 

 into the outer side of the angular vein, either separatel}' or by a common 

 trunk. Several branches of the inferior palpel^ral vein oj^cn into the facial 

 vein (fig. 385). 



(3) The facial vein, the continuation of the angular, begins at the lower margin 

 of the orbit, and, crossing the face oblicjuely downwards and outwards, passes at 

 the anterior edge of the niasseter muscle over the l)ody of the lower jaw, and thence 

 downwards and backwards across the digastric and superior carotid triangles to join 

 the internal jugular vein about the level of the hyoid bone. It runs in a more or 

 less direct line behind its corresponding artery, the facial, which itself pursues a 

 tortuous course. It usually passes beneath the zygomatic muscles and beneath the 

 ])latysma, but above the other muscles. At the anterior edge of the niasseter it 

 meets the facial artery, lying immediately posterior to it. In the neck it lies 

 l)eneath the platysma and cervical fascia, and is usually separated from the facial 

 artery by the submaxillary gland and the stylo-hyoid, and the posterior l)elly of 

 the digastricus muscles, below which it frequently receives a communicating branch 

 from the external jugular vein. That petition of the vein from the spot when- it 

 receives the communicating branch to its termination in the internal jugular is 

 sometimes called the common facial vein ; and the communicating branch, tin- 

 anterior division of the temporo-maxillary vein. (See Tkmporo-maxili.arv 

 N'kin, page 61(3. ) 



Tributaries. — It receives on its inner side, from above downwards: — (a) The 

 inferior lati ral nasal veins; (b) the superior labial vein; (c) the inferior labial veins; 

 (d) the sul)mcntal vein; (e) the suV)maxillary veins. On its outer side : — (a) the 

 inferior pali)el»ral veins; (/^) the anterior internal maxillary vein; {<■) the buccal 

 vein; (d) the anterior parotid vein; (e) the masseteri(^ vein; and (/) the inferior 

 palatine vein. 



Communications. — It communicates with the infraorbital vein, the pterygoid 

 plexus of veins, the anterior jugular vein, and the external jugular vein. 



Tributaries on the Inner Side. — (a) The inferior lateral nasal vein is a small 

 branch which corresponds with the lateralis nasi artery. It joins the facial on a 

 level with the ala of the nose. 



(6) The superior labial or coronary vein begins as a plexus in the orbicularis 



