Blood supply to the eye

Question 1

What is the name of the structure that provides blood supply to they orbit and eyeball? Where does it stem from?

Answer 1

The opthalmic artery is a branch of the internal carotid artery when it splits after leaving the cavernous sinus

Question 2

How can you locate the ophthalmic artery?

Answer 2

It depends on where you are positioned when trying to locate it.

Before the ophthalmic artery enters the orbit it traverses inferiorly and laterally to the optic nerve, however as soon as it enters the orbit, it traverses the optic nerve superiorly and towards the medial side of the orbit.

Question 3

Similar to how the aorta bifurcates to give rise to other arteries, the ophthalmic artery also branches off to give rise to several arteries, what are they?

Answer 3

• lacrimal artery
• central retinal artery
• long and short posterior ciliary arteries
• muscular arteries
• supraorbital artery
• ethmoidal artery (posterior and anterior)
• medial palpebral arteries
• dorsal nasal artery
• supratrochlear artery

Question 4

Where is the supratrochlear artery and what is its function?

Answer 4

• The supratrochlear artery is a branch of the ophthalmic artery and arises immediately after the ophthalmic artery crosses the optic nerve
• Its function is to provide blood supply to the forehead and scalp

Question 5

The supraorbital artery exits the orbit through the _______________ along with the ______________.

Answer 5

1. supraorbital foramen

2. supraorbital nerve

Question 6

The posterior and anterior ethmoidal arteries arise in the orbit as branches of the ophthalmic artery, as soon as it crosses (and is superior to) the optic nerve. What is the function of these arteries?

Answer 6

• posterior ethmoidal artery supplies the ethmoidal cells and nasal cavity
• anterior ethmoidal artery supplies the septum and lateral wall

Question 7

The anterior ethmoidal artery leaves the orbit through the ____________________ and itself further branches off to give the _____________ in the cranial cavity.

Answer 7

• anterior ethmoidal foramen

- anterior meningeal branch

Question 8

What is the function of the medial palpebral arteries?

Answer 8

The middle palpebral arteries supply the medial side of the upper and lower eyelids

Question 9

The ophthalmic artery has two terminal branches and one of these supplies the upper surface of the nose, what is this artery?

Answer 9

• dorsal nasal artery

Question 10

What are the two terminal branches of the ophthalmic artery?

Answer 10

• dorsal nasal artery

- supratrochlear artery

Question 11

Where is the lacrimal artery and what is its function?

Answer 11

• The lacrimal artery is a branch of the ophthalmic artery and arises lateral to the optic nerve, in the orbit
• Its function is to provide blood supply to the lacrimal gland, muscles, anterior ciliary branch to the eyeball and lateral sides of the eyelid

Question 12

The long and short posterior ciliary arteries ‘pierce’ which structure?

Answer 12

The sclera

Question 13

What is the function of the muscular arteries?

Answer 13

The muscular arteries provide blood supply to the intrinsic muscles of the eye