Veins of the nasal cavity (Latin)

The vv. nasales (v. sphenopalatina, facialis, and ophthalmica) follow the pathways of the arteries forming a rich venous plexus within the tunica mucosa nasi, particularly at the posterior end of the meatus inferior nasi (Woodruff’s plexus). Vv. cavitas nasi have three main drainage points: the v. facialis, sinus cavernosus and plexus venosus pterygoideus. The v. sphenopalatina and its associated tributaries generally travel through the foramen sphenopalatinum to drain into the plexus venosus pterygoideus. The v. palatina major drains the palatum durum and gingiva and enters the fossa infratemporalis to also drain into the plexus venosus pterygoideus. The vv. ethmoideae drain the roof and upper septal and paries lateralis cavitatis nasi, sinus ethmoidales, dorsum nasi and dura mater. The v. ethmoidea posterior and its associated tributaries empty into the sinus cavernosus while the v. ethmoidea anterior and its tributaries drain to the v. facialis or v. ophthalmica superior.