external nasal vein

The external nasal vein is a vein that drains the superficial tissues and skin of the dorsum (bridge) and ala (wings) of the nose, emptying into the angular vein.

The external nasal vein is located on the outer surface of the nose, coursing along the dorsum and around the alar region before joining the angular vein near the medial canthus of the eye.

The external nasal vein is involved in returning deoxygenated blood from the superficial nasal tissues to the facial venous system via the angular vein.

Conditions such as rhinophyma, nasal skin infections, or venous engorgement related to nasal inflammation may be associated with changes in the external nasal vein.

The external nasal vein may be evaluated through clinical inspection of nasal surface vasculature, Doppler ultrasound of the facial veins, or imaging studies of the head and neck that include soft tissue detail.