2020–2021 BCSC Basic and Clinical Science Course™
2 Fundamentals and Principles of Ophthalmology
Part I: Anatomy
Chapter 1: Orbit and Ocular Adnexa
Vascular Supply and Drainage of the Orbit
Vortex Veins
The vortex veins drain the venous system of the choroid, ciliary body, and iris (see Fig 1-19). Each eye contains 4–7 (or more) veins. One or more veins are usually located in each quadrant and exit 14–25 mm from the limbus, between the rectus muscles. The ampullae of the vortex veins are 8–9 mm from the ora serrata and are visible by indirect ophthalmoscopy. A circle connecting these ampullae corresponds roughly to the equator and divides the central or posterior fundus from the peripheral or anterior portion. The vortex veins join the orbital venous system after leaving the eye (Fig 1-23).
Excerpted from BCSC 2020-2021 series: Section 2 - Fundamentals and Principles of Ophthalmology. For more information and to purchase the entire series, please visit https://www.aao.org/bcsc.