Short posterior ciliary arteries

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Artery: Short posterior ciliary arteries
The arteries of the choroid and iris. The greater part of the sclera has been removed.
The ophthalmic artery and its branches.
Latin arteriae ciliares posteriores breves
Gray's subject #146 571
Supplies choroid (up to the equator of the eye)
ciliary processes
Source ophthalmic artery   
Vein vorticose veins
Dorlands
/ Elsevier
    
a_61/12153868

The short posterior ciliary arteries from six to twelve in number, arise from the ophthalmic as it crosses the optic nerve.

[edit] Course and target

They pass forward around the optic nerve to the posterior part of the eyeball, pierce the sclera around the entrance of the optic nerve, and supply the choroid (up to the equator of the eye) and ciliary processes.

Some branches of the short posterior ciliary arteries also supply the optic disc via an anastomotic ring, the Circle of Zinn-Haller or Circle of Zinn, which is associated with the fibrous extension of the ocular tendons (Annulus of Zinn).

[edit] Additional images

[edit] External links

This article was originally based on an entry from a public domain edition of Gray's Anatomy. As such, some of the information contained herein may be outdated. Please edit the article if this is the case, and feel free to remove this notice when it is no longer relevant.