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]]