Lacrimal Artery, Anterior View

Description

Arising from the ophthalmic artery within the orbit, the lacrimal artery courses anteriorly and laterally along the superior border of the lateral rectus toward the lacrimal gland in the superolateral angle of the orbital cavity, just deep to the frontal bone and lateral orbital rim. Small arterial branches extend medially toward the upper eyelid and conjunctiva, while the vessel’s relationship to the zygomatic bone and lateral orbital wall landmarks remains clear in this anterior skull-based view. Carotid arteries ascend in the neck as larger-caliber feeders in the same field, providing vascular context without soft tissue distraction. Bone dominates the scene. For orbital surgery and trauma teaching, the lacrimal artery matters because it sits in the operative corridor for lateral orbitotomy and lacrimal gland exposure, and it can be a source of brisk bleeding when the superolateral orbit is entered. Laceration or cautery injury can also compromise perfusion to the lacrimal gland and contribute to postoperative dry eye complaints, a problem that is easy to underappreciate if you only study the gland and not its arterial supply. Anastomoses via zygomatico-orbital branches and palpebral contributions help explain variable collateral flow. A small vessel, big consequences. Use this illustration for head and neck anatomy blocks, ophthalmology teaching files, and atlas plates covering the ophthalmic artery branches and orbital vasculature. It also supports surgical education materials on lacrimal gland biopsy, lateral orbital decompression, and management of orbital hemorrhage where bony orientation and vessel trajectory are the teaching targets. Anatomical accuracy verified by SciePro's Medical Advisory Board.