Definition

Noun: - Small veins in the sclera near the corneal margin; empty into the anterior ciliary veins: The episcleral veins are a network of tiny blood vessels located in the episclera, the thin, clear tissue layer covering the white part of the eye (the sclera). They are situated near the edge of the cornea and are responsible for draining blood from the anterior segment of the eye into the anterior ciliary veins.

Examples of Usage

• Noun:
  • Increased pressure in the episcleral veins can be a sign of certain eye conditions.
  • The surgeon took care to avoid the episcleral veins during the procedure.
  • Ophthalmologists examine the episcleral veins as part of a comprehensive eye exam.

Advanced Usage

• "Engorgement of the episcleral veins": A medical description for when these veins become abnormally full or dilated, often indicating elevated pressure.
  • Engorgement of the episcleral veins is a clinical finding in some forms of glaucoma.

Variants and Related Words

• Episclera (noun): The thin, vascular connective tissue layer between the conjunctiva and the sclera of the eye.
  • Inflammation of the episclera is called episcleritis.
• Anterior ciliary veins (noun): The veins into which the episcleral veins drain.
  • The anterior ciliary veins carry blood away from the front of the eye.

Synonyms

• Scleral venous plexus: A synonym used in some anatomical contexts to describe a network of veins in the sclera, which includes the episcleral veins.

Noun

1. small veins in the sclera near the corneal margin; empty into the anterior ciliary veins