The supraorbital vein is a

vein Veins are blood vessels in humans and most other animals that carry blood towards the heart. Most veins carry deoxygenated blood from the tissues back to the heart; exceptions are the pulmonary and umbilical veins, both of which carry oxygenated ...

of the forehead. It communicates with the

frontal branch In human anatomy, the superficial temporal artery is a major artery of the head. It arises from the external carotid artery when it splits into the superficial temporal artery and maxillary artery. Its pulse can be felt above the zygomatic arch ...

of the

superficial temporal vein The superficial temporal vein is a vein of the side of the head. It begins on the side and vertex of the skull in a network of veins which communicates with the frontal vein and supraorbital vein, with the corresponding vein of the opposite side, a ...

. It passes through the

supraorbital notch The supraorbital foramen, is a bony elongated opening located above the orbit (eye socket) and under the forehead. It is part of the frontal bone of the skull. The supraorbital foramen lies directly under the eyebrow. In some people this foramen i ...

, and merges with the

angular vein The angular vein is a vein of the face. It is the upper part of the facial vein, above its junction with the superior labial vein. It is formed by the junction of the supratrochlear vein and supraorbital vein, and joins with the superior labial ...

to form the superior ophthalmic vein. The supraorbital vein helps to drain blood from the forehead,

eyebrow An eyebrow is an area of short hairs above each eye that follows the shape of the lower margin of the brow ridges of some mammals. In humans, eyebrows serve two main functions: first, communication through facial expression, and second, prev ...

, and

upper eyelid An eyelid is a thin fold of skin that covers and protects an eye. The levator palpebrae superioris muscle retracts the eyelid, exposing the cornea to the outside, giving vision. This can be either voluntarily or involuntarily. The human eyel ...

Structure

The supraorbital vein begins on the forehead, where it communicates with the

of the

. It runs downward superficial to the

frontalis muscle The frontalis muscle () is a muscle which covers parts of the forehead of the skull. Some sources consider the frontalis muscle to be a distinct muscle. However, Terminologia Anatomica currently classifies it as part of the occipitofrontalis muscle ...

. It merges with the

to form the superior ophthalmic vein. Previous to its junction with the angular vein, it passes through the

into the orbit around the eye. As this vessel passes through the notch, it receives the frontal

diploic vein The diploic veins are large, thin-walled valveless veins that channel in the diploë between the inner and outer layers of the cortical bone in the skull. They are lined by a single layer of endothelium supported by elastic tissue. They develop f ...

through a

foramen In anatomy and osteology, a foramen (;Entry "foramen"
in

at the bottom of the notch.

Function

The supraorbital vein helps to drain blood from the forehead,

, and

Additional images

File:Gray515.png, Bloodvessels of the eyelids, front view. File:Lateral head anatomy detail.jpg, Lateral head anatomy detail File:Head ap anatomy.jpg, Head anatomy anterior view

References

{{circulatory-stub Veins of the head and neck