Lacrimal artery

Last edit by Alaric Steinmetz on

The lacrimal artery is responsible for the arterial blood supply of the lacrimal gland and is a branch of the ophthalmic artery.

Anatomy

The lacrimal artery originates near the optic canal as one of the largest branches of the ophthalmic artery. It forms an anastomosis with the middle meningeal artery and accompanies the orbit along the lateral wall, following the lacrimal nerve on its way to the lacrimal gland along the upper border of the lateral rectus muscle. This muscle is supplied arterially by smaller branches of the lacrimal artery. The terminal branches of the artery penetrate the lacrimal gland and supply the eyelids and parts of the conjunctiva as lateral palpebral arteries. The eyelid branches anastomose in the inferior and superior palpebral arches with the lower and upper medial palpebral arteries. Furthermore, the artery gives off two other small zygomatic branches:

  • One branch perforates the zygomaticofacial foramen and anastomoses with the transverse facial artery.

  • The other branch passes through the zygomaticotemporal foramen and anastomoses in the temporal fossa with branches of the deep temporal artery.

Illustration

Ophthalmic Artery Grays Anatomy
Schematic illustration of the orbital arteries and their branches. Figure adapted from Grays Anatomy Figure 514.