Ophthalmic artery

The ophthalmic artery, the arterial blood vessel for the supply of the eye and of the eye socket in humans. It arises directly as a branch of the internal carotid artery after their passage through the skull. Together with the optic nerve leaves the skull back through the optic canal and is divided into the following branches:

  • Central retinal artery of the optic nerve and retina
  • Posterior ciliary arteries longae for the lens and the front portion of the eyeball
  • Posterior ciliary arteries breves for the rear portion of the eyeball
  • Lacrimal artery to lacrimal gland
  • Supraorbital artery to brow
  • Supratrochlear artery to brow
  • Anterior and posterior ethmoidal arteries to the ethmoid sinuses
  • Muscular branches to the muscles of the eye
  • Palpebral artery medial to the upper and lower lid margin
  • Dorsal nasal artery to the bridge of the nose

The ophthalmic artery corresponding vein is the superior ophthalmic vein.

Source

  • Theodor H. Schiebler, Walter Schmidt, Karl Zilles: cytology, histology, development history, macroscopic and microscopic anatomy of man. 7, corrected edition. Springer, Berlin et al 1997, ISBN 3-540-61856-2.
  • Artery of the head
  • Anatomy of the eye
Forehead Eyelid
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