Lacrimal artery 4633683 164964067 2007-10-16T15:11:23Z Mikael Häggström 2615838 infoboxed {{Infobox Artery | Name = {{PAGENAME}} | Latin = a. lacrimalis | GraySubject = 146 | GrayPage = 569 | Image = Gray514.png | Caption = The [[ophthalmic artery]] and its branches. (Lacrimal artery visible at center right.) | Image2 = Gray894.png | Caption2 = The tarsi and their ligaments. Right eye; front view. (Lacrimal artery visible at upper left.) | BranchFrom = [[ophthalmic artery]] | BranchTo = [[lateral palpebral arteries]] <BR> zygomatic branches <BR> recurrent branch | Vein = | Supplies = [[lacrimal gland]], [[eyelids]], [[conjunctiva]] | MeshName = | MeshNumber = | DorlandsPre = a_61 | DorlandsSuf = 12154804 | }} 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 (anatomy)|orbit]]. It accompanies the [[lacrimal nerve]] along the upper border of the [[Lateral Rectus]], supplies the [[lacrimal gland]]. ==Branches== Its terminal branches, escaping from the gland, are distributed to the [[eyelids]] and [[conjunctiva]]: 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 artery|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]]. ==Variations== The lacrimal artery is sometimes derived from one of the anterior branches of the [[middle meningeal artery]]. ==Additional images== <gallery> Image:Gray515.png|Bloodvessels of the eyelids, front view. </gallery> ==External links== * {{eMedicineDictionary|Lacrimal+artery}} {{Gray's}} {{circulatory-stub}} {{Arteries of head and neck}} [[Category:Arteries]]