First Branch of Ophthalmic Artery and Its Clinical Importance

Abstract

Objective: The ophthalmic artery and its branches have one of the most complex anatomy and embryology of all arteries. Although many studies have been done on its branches, different references have given different conclusions about the first branch of it. Therefore, it was aimed to investigate the first branch of the ophthalmic artery in this study. Materials and Method: Forty-one orbits of the cadavers, which belonged to the Department of Anatomy of Istanbul Faculty of Medicine, were examined. Results: It was observed that the first branch was the central retinal artery in 23 orbits (56%), the posterior ciliary arteries in 14 orbits (34%), the lacrimal artery in three orbits (7%) and the supraorbital artery in one orbit (3%). Conclusion: It was observed that the first branch of the ophthalmic artery was the central retinal artery or posterior ciliary arteries substantially. Both arteries are essential for vision and are very important to be protected in surgeries involving this area. Keywords: Ophthalmic artery, central retinal artery, posterior ciliary arteries, lacrimal artery