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Lacrimal vein

The lacrimal vein is a small venous structure that drains blood from the lacrimal gland, located in the superolateral aspect of the orbit. This vein plays a crucial role in draining deoxygenated blood from the lacrimal gland into the superior ophthalmic vein, facilitating the venous outflow from the orbital region. The lacrimal vein is typically small and may not always be individually visualized on routine imaging, but understanding its course is important in orbital pathology and surgery.

Synonyms

  • Vena lacrimalis (Latin)

  • Lacrimal gland vein

Function

  • Drains venous blood from the lacrimal gland.

  • Empties into the superior ophthalmic vein, which subsequently drains into the cavernous sinus.

  • Facilitates removal of metabolic waste from the lacrimal gland.

  • Plays a minor but significant role in the venous drainage system of the orbit.

MRI Appearance

  • T1-weighted images (T1):

    • The lacrimal vein appears as a small tubular or round structure, isointense to other veins, typically with low signal intensity.

    • Not usually individually visible unless distended or enhanced by contrast.

  • T2-weighted images (T2):

    • Appears as a small, flow void (dark signal) structure if blood flow is rapid.

    • In cases of slow flow or thrombosis, may appear hyperintense.

  • STIR (Short Tau Inversion Recovery):

    • The vein generally appears as a low signal (dark) structure due to flow void.

    • Perivenous edema or inflammation may show high signal intensity in the surrounding tissues, highlighting the vessel indirectly.

CT Appearance

  • Appears as a thin, linear or oval structure of soft tissue density adjacent to the lacrimal gland in the superolateral orbit.

  • May enhance with intravenous contrast, becoming more conspicuous as a small enhancing vessel.

  • Typically not visualized on non-contrast CT unless enlarged or involved in pathology.

  • Best seen on high-resolution orbital or angiographic CT with contrast.

MRI images

Lacrimal vein mri image