Dorsal Nasal Artery, Lateral View

Description

Arising from the ophthalmic artery near the medial canthus, the dorsal nasal artery courses anteriorly along the superior dorsum of the nose, running superficial to the nasal bones as it approaches the nasion and glabella. In lateral projection, the orbit, lacrimal region, and external nasal framework align clearly with the vessel’s path, with the artery positioned anterior to the orbital rim and superior to the upper lateral nasal cartilages. Companion venous channels track alongside the arterial tree over the midface, set against bony landmarks of the maxilla, zygomatic bone, and mandible. Fine cranial sutures, dentition, and the nasal cavity provide stable reference points. This lateral view matters because the dorsal nasal artery is a consistent landmark in periorbital and nasal surgery, and it forms clinically relevant anastomoses with branches of the facial artery (angular artery) across the bridge of the nose. In injectable filler procedures of the nasal dorsum and glabellar region, intravascular injection can propagate retrograde into the ophthalmic circulation with retinal ischemia, so understanding the artery’s superficial course near the medial orbit is not optional. Small vessel, big consequences. Editors and lecturers will find the bony overlay helpful for correlating surface injection danger zones with deep skeletal landmarks in facial anatomy, ENT, and oculoplastics teaching. The image also suits surgical atlases and continuing medical education modules covering nasal reconstruction, paramedian forehead flap planning, and management of epistaxis and periorbital trauma. Anatomical accuracy verified by SciePro's Medical Advisory Board.