lacrimal artery

The lacrimal artery is a branch of the ophthalmic artery that supplies the lacrimal gland.

Gross anatomy

Course

The lacrimal artery travels along the upper border of the lateral rectus muscle with the lacrimal nerve to supply the lacrimal gland as well as the eyelids and conjunctiva.

The recurrent branch of the artery travels back through the superior orbital fissure to supply the dura mater of the middle cranial fossa where it connects to a branch of the middle meningeal artery.

Branches

• lateral palpebral arteries
• zygomatic branches
• recurrent branch

Variant anatomy

• may arise from an anterior branch of the middle meningeal artery

Siehe auch:

• ophthalmic artery

und weiter:

• intraconal orbital compartment
• deep temporal branches
• Nervus ophthalmicus