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Dissection of right orbit from a superior approach

Branches of ophthalmic artery

Image #54-6

KEYWORDS: Connective tissue, Eye, Face, Peripheral nervous system, Vasculature.

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Dissection of right orbit from a superior approach

Branches of ophthalmic artery

The optic nerve has been cut and the eye turned anteriorly. The central end of the optic nerve has been displaced from the optic canal to illustrate the course of the ophthalmic artery in a separate dural investment inferior to the nerve. Branches of this artery within the orbit presented such a complex pattern that it was necessary to displace the artery medially from its original position to demonstrate their arrangement. Branches to structures in the superior part of the orbit have been cut off. In the accompanying drawing smaller arterial branches have been omitted for the sake of simplicity.

1 .	Frontal artery
2 .	Medial check ligament
3 .	Posterior ciliary artery (long) (within sclera)
4 .	Anterior ethmoidal artery
5 .	Medial rectus muscle
6 .	Posterior ciliary artery
7 .	Inferior muscular branch of ophthalmic artery (branches pass to medial, inferior and lateral rectus muscles and inferior oblique muscle)
8 .	Posterior ethmoidal artery
9 .	Lacrimal artery (cut off)
10 .	Ciliary ganglion
11 .	Optic nerve (II) (elevated
12 .	Ophthalmic artery entering optic canal
13 .	Internal carotid artery
14 .	Insertion of superior oblique muscle
15 .	Lacrimal gland (inferior)
16 .	Lateral check ligament
17 .	Posterior ciliary arteries (short)
18 .	Optic nerve (ll) within sheath
19 .	Lateral rectus muscle
20 .	Central artery of retina (continuity of artery interrupted in drawing but not in specimen)
21 .	Posterior ciliary artery
22 .	Origin of superior rectus muscle (cut off)
23 .	Nerves entering orbit through superior orbital fissure