Artery: Ophthalmic artery
The ophthalmic artery and its branches.
Circle of Willis (Ophthalmic artery labeled at upper right)
Latin	arteria ophthalmica
Gray's	subject #146 568
Source	internal carotid
Branches	Lacrimal artery Supraorbital artery Posterior ethmoidal artery Anterior ethmoidal artery Internal palpebral artery Supratrochlear artery Dorsal nasal artery Long posterior ciliary arteries Short posterior ciliary arteries Anterior ciliary artery Central retinal artery Muscular artery
Vein	superior ophthalmic, inferior ophthalmic
MeSH	Ophthalmic+Artery
Dorlands / Elsevier	a_61/12155313

The ophthalmic artery is a branch of the internal carotid artery which supplies branches to supply the eye and other structures in the orbit. It enters the orbit together with the Optic nerve through the Optic canal.

Branches

The branches of the ophthalmic artery are often subdivided into an orbital group and an ocular group [1].

Orbital group

The orbital group, distributing vessels to the orbit and surrounding parts, includes:

• Lacrimal artery
• Supraorbital artery
• Posterior ethmoidal artery
• Anterior ethmoidal artery
• Internal palpebral artery
• Supratrochlear artery, also known as the frontal artery
• Dorsal nasal artery

Ocular group

The ocular group, distributing vessels to the eye and its muscles, includes:

• Long posterior ciliary arteries
• Short posterior ciliary arteries
• Anterior ciliary artery
• Central retinal artery
• Muscular artery

Blood supply

Branches of the ophthalmic artery supply:

• Frontal belly of the occipitofrontalis muscle
• Inferior oblique muscle
• Inferior rectus muscle
• Lacrimal gland
• Lateral rectus muscle
• Levator palpebrae superioris muscle
• Medial rectus muscle
• Nasalis muscle
• Procerus
• Superior oblique muscle
• Superior rectus muscle

Occlusion

As with central retinal artery occlusions, ophthalmic artery occlusions may result from systemic cardiovascular diseases; however, a cherry red spot is typically absent and the vision is usually worse. Amaurosis fugax is a temporary loss of vision that occurs in two conditions which cause a temporary reduction in ophthalmic artery pressure: orthostatic hypotension and positive acceleration.^[1]

Additional images

Dura mater and its processes exposed by removing part of the right half of the skull, and the brain.

References

See also

• Fluorescein angiography

External links

• MedEd at Loyola Neuro/neurovasc/navigation/opht.htm
• SUNY Labs 29:03-0102

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