Septal branches of posterior ethmoidal artery
Rami septales arteriae ethmoideae posterioris
Small branches of the posterior ethmoidal artery that descend through the cribriform plate to the upper back part of the nasal septum.
At a glance
- English
- Septal branches of posterior ethmoidal artery
- Latin (TA2)
- Rami septales arteriae ethmoideae posterioris
- System
- Artery
- Region
- Head
- Side
- Paired, left and right
About the septal branches of posterior ethmoidal artery
The posterior ethmoidal artery is a branch of the ophthalmic artery. It leaves the orbit through the posterior ethmoidal foramen on the medial wall, passes through a small canal between the ethmoid and frontal bones, and supplies the posterior ethmoidal air cells and the dura of the anterior cranial fossa. It then sends branches down through the cribriform plate into the roof of the nasal cavity.
These nasal branches divide into lateral branches, for the upper part of the lateral wall near the superior concha, and septal branches, which pass to the nasal septum. The septal branches supply the mucous membrane of the upper and posterior part of the septum, close to the olfactory region in the roof of the nose. On the septum they anastomose with the septal branches of the anterior ethmoidal artery in front and with the posterior septal branches of the sphenopalatine artery below.
Bleeding from these branches is uncommon and occurs high in the nasal cavity, where it may follow trauma or surgery to the ethmoid region. Because they come from the internal carotid system through the ophthalmic artery, bleeding from them is not controlled by tying the external carotid or maxillary artery. When the ethmoidal arteries need to be controlled, the anterior one is usually tied in the orbit; the posterior ethmoidal artery lies close to the optic canal, so it is approached with particular care.
Course and supply
- Arises from
- The posterior ethmoidal artery, after it has passed through the cribriform plate into the nasal cavity.
- Ends in
- End in the mucosa of the upper posterior septum, anastomosing with the anterior ethmoidal and sphenopalatine septal branches.
- Supplies
- Supply the mucous membrane of the upper and posterior part of the nasal septum.
Anthromica
See the septal branches of posterior ethmoidal artery where it really sits, with every layer of the body around it.
- Every layer, one body. Peel from muscle to bone, nerve, vessel and organ, and turn it any way.
- English and Latin. Every structure named the way your exam names it.
- Quiz until it sticks. Short drills on the structures you keep missing.
Free to start. No card.
