Arteries and veins of orbit (Lateral view) (English)

The main artery of this region is the ophthalmic artery (arising from the internal carotid artery), which gives off 10 branches to supply all of the structures of the orbit, in addition to some surrounding structures. The lacrimal artery arises from the ophthalmic artery just lateral to the optic nerve and courses anteriorly to supply the lacrimal gland. The muscular branches of the ophthalmic artery supply the intrinsic muscles of the eyeball and give off a small branch, the anterior ciliary artery which supplies the anterior eye. The supratrochlear and dorsal nasal arteries travel through and exit the orbit to supply regions of the nose, eyelids, forehead and scalp. Other branches of the ophthalmic artery (central retinal, posterior ciliary, medial palpebral, supraorbital and the anterior and posterior ethmoidal arteries) can be observed from a superior view of the orbit (see next image). Aside from the ophthalmic artery, this region is also supplied by the maxillary artery (arising from the external carotid artery), which gives off an infraorbital branch to supply the floor of the orbit. Venous drainage of the orbit is mainly facilitated by the superior and inferior ophthalmic veins, central retinal vein, vorticose veins and infraorbital vein which drain into the cavernous sinus of the cranial cavity and pterygoid plexus of veins within the infratemporal fossa.