Lacrimal artery

At a glance

English

Lacrimal artery

Latin (TA2)

Arteria lacrimalis

System

Artery

Region

Head

Side

Paired, left and right

About the lacrimal artery

The lacrimal artery is one of the larger branches of the ophthalmic artery inside the orbit. In most people it leaves the parent vessel close to the optic canal, soon after the ophthalmic artery has entered the orbit, though occasionally it is given off before entry. It then travels forwards in company with the lacrimal nerve, keeping to the upper edge of the lateral rectus muscle, until it reaches the lacrimal gland at the upper outer corner of the orbit.

Along the way and after passing the gland the artery gives a spread of branches. It feeds the gland itself, sends twigs to the lateral and superior rectus muscles, and continues into the upper and lower eyelids and the conjunctiva. Two sizeable lateral palpebral arteries run medially inside the lids and join the medial palpebral arteries, so that each lid carries an arterial arch along its margin.

Further branches link the orbit with neighbouring regions. One or two zygomatic branches pass through small canals in the zygomatic bone: one reaches the temporal fossa and joins the deep temporal arteries, the other emerges on the cheek and joins the transverse facial artery. Finally, a meningeal twig turns backwards through the outer end of the superior orbital fissure, reaching the dura, where it links with the middle meningeal artery. This last link is the basis of a common variant in which the lacrimal artery arises from the middle meningeal artery instead of the ophthalmic.

These connections matter clinically because they form a route between the internal and external carotid systems. When the ophthalmic artery or the internal carotid is blocked, blood from the external carotid can reach the orbit through them, and in the other direction they explain how material injected into face or scalp vessels can reach the eye. Surgeons operating on the lateral orbital wall or the lacrimal gland need to expect the vessel running above the lateral rectus.

Course and supply

Arises from

Branch of the ophthalmic artery, usually given off near the optic canal just after the parent artery enters the orbit.

Ends in

Ends in the lacrimal gland, the eyelids and the conjunctiva, with lateral palpebral, zygomatic and recurrent meningeal branches.

Supplies

Supplies the lacrimal gland, the lateral and superior rectus muscles, the lateral parts of the upper and lower eyelids and the conjunctiva.