Lacrimal artery
Encyclopedia
The lacrimal artery arises close to the optic foramen
, and is one of the largest branches derived from the ophthalmic artery
: not infrequently it is given off before the artery enters the orbit
.
It accompanies the lacrimal nerve
along the upper border of the Lateral Rectus, supplies the lacrimal gland
.
: of those supplying the eyelids, two are of considerable size and are named the lateral palpebral arteries; they run medially in the upper and lower lids respectively and anastomose with the medial palpebral arteries
, forming an arterial circle in this situation.
The lacrimal artery also give off one or two zygomatic branches, one of which passes through the zygomatico-temporal foramen, to reach the temporal fossa
, and anastomoses with the deep temporal arteries
; another appears on the cheek through the zygomatico-facial foramen, and anastomoses with the transverse facial
.
A recurrent branch passes backward through the lateral part of the superior orbital fissure to the dura mater
, and anastomoses with a branch of the middle meningeal artery
.
.
Optic foramen
The optic foramen is the opening to the optic canal.The superior surface of the sphenoid bone is bounded behind by a ridge, which forms the anterior border of a narrow, transverse groove, the chiasmatic groove , above and behind which lies the optic chiasma; the groove ends on either side in the...
, and is one of the largest branches derived from the ophthalmic artery
Ophthalmic artery
The ophthalmic artery is the first branch of the internal carotid artery distal to the cavernous sinus. Branches of the OA supply all the structures in the orbit as well as some structures in the nose, face and meninges...
: not infrequently it is given off before the artery enters the orbit
Orbit (anatomy)
In anatomy, the orbit is the cavity or socket of the skull in which the eye and its appendages are situated. "Orbit" can refer to the bony socket, or it can also be used to imply the contents...
.
It accompanies the lacrimal nerve
Lacrimal nerve
The lacrimal nerve is the smallest of the three branches of the ophthalmic division of the trigeminal nerve.It sometimes receives a filament from the trochlear nerve, but this is possibly derived from the branch that goes from the ophthalmic to the trochlear nerve.It passes forward in a separate...
along the upper border of the Lateral Rectus, supplies the lacrimal gland
Lacrimal gland
The lacrimal glands are paired almond-shaped glands, one for each eye, that secrete the aqueous layer of the tear film. They are situated in the upper, outer portion of each orbit, in the lacrimal fossa of the orbit formed by the frontal bone. Inflammation of the lacrimal glands is called...
.
Branches
Its terminal branches, escaping from the gland, are distributed to the eyelids and conjunctivaConjunctiva
The conjunctiva covers the sclera and lines the inside of the eyelids. It is composed of rare stratified columnar epithelium.-Function:...
: of those supplying the eyelids, two are of considerable size and are named the lateral palpebral arteries; they run medially in the upper and lower lids respectively and anastomose with the medial palpebral arteries
Medial palpebral arteries
The medial palpebral arteries are arteries of the head. They are two in number, superior and inferior, arise from the ophthalmic, opposite the pulley of the Obliquus superior.-Course:...
, forming an arterial circle in this situation.
The lacrimal artery also give off one or two zygomatic branches, one of which passes through the zygomatico-temporal foramen, to reach the temporal fossa
Temporal fossa
The temporal fossa is a shallow depression on the side of the skull bounded by the temporal lines and terminating below the level of the zygomatic arch.-Boundaries:...
, and anastomoses with the deep temporal arteries
Deep temporal arteries
The deep temporal arteries, two in number, anterior and posterior, ascend between the Temporalis and the pericranium.They supply the muscle, and anastomose with the middle temporal artery....
; another appears on the cheek through the zygomatico-facial foramen, and anastomoses with the transverse facial
Transverse facial artery
The transverse facial artery is an artery that branches from the superficial temporal artery and runs across the face.-Course:The transverse facial artery is given off from the superficial temporal artery before that vessel leaves the parotid gland; running forward through the substance of the...
.
A recurrent branch passes backward through the lateral part of the superior orbital fissure to the dura mater
Dura mater
The dura mater , or dura, is the outermost of the three layers of the meninges surrounding the brain and spinal cord. It is derived from Mesoderm. The other two meningeal layers are the pia mater and the arachnoid mater. The dura surrounds the brain and the spinal cord and is responsible for...
, and anastomoses with a branch of the middle meningeal artery
Middle meningeal artery
The middle meningeal artery is typically the third branch of the first part of the maxillary artery, one of the two terminal branches of the external carotid artery...
.
Variations
The lacrimal artery is sometimes derived from one of the anterior branches of the middle meningeal arteryMiddle meningeal artery
The middle meningeal artery is typically the third branch of the first part of the maxillary artery, one of the two terminal branches of the external carotid artery...
.