Maxillary vein

{{Short description|Vein of the head}} {{Infobox vein | Name = Maxillary vein | Latin = vena maxillaris | Image = Gray557.png | Caption = Veins of the head and neck. (Internal maxillary vein visible at center.) | Image2 = Lateral head anatomy detail.jpg | Caption2 = Lateral head anatomy detail | DrainsFrom = | DrainsTo = Retromandibular vein | Artery = Maxillary artery }}

The '''maxillary vein''' or '''internal maxillary vein''' is a vein of the head. It is a short trunk which accompanies (the first part of) the maxillary artery. It is formed by a confluence of the veins of the pterygoid plexus. It and passes posterior-ward between the sphenomandibular ligament and the neck of the mandible to enter the parotid gland where unites with the superficial temporal vein to form the retromandibular vein (posterior facial vein).'''<ref name=":224">{{Cite book |last=Standring |first=Susan |title=Gray's Anatomy: The Anatomical Basis of Clinical Practice |year=2020 |isbn=978-0-7020-7707-4 |edition=42th |location=New York |pages=680 |oclc=1201341621}}</ref>'''

== Structure == === Development === The maxillary vein may be the embryological origin of the central retinal vein.<ref>{{Cite book|last=Remington|first=Lee Ann|chapter-url=https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/B9781437719260100074|title=Clinical Anatomy and Physiology of the Visual System|publisher=Butterworth-Heinemann|year=2012|isbn=978-1-4377-1926-0|edition=3rd|pages=123–143|language=en|chapter=7 - Ocular Embryology|doi=10.1016/B978-1-4377-1926-0.10007-4}}</ref>

== Additional images == <gallery> File:Head ap anatomy.jpg|Head anatomy anterior view </gallery>

== References == {{Gray's}} <references />

Category:Veins of the head and neck