Anterior ciliary arteries

Anterior ciliary arteries
The arteries of the choroid and iris. The greater part of the sclera has been removed.
Iris, front view.
Details
Source	Ophthalmic artery
Vein	Anterior ciliary veins
Supplies	Conjunctiva, sclera and rectus muscles
Identifiers
Latin	Arteriae ciliares anteriores
TA	A12.2.06.034
FMA	70782
Anatomical terminology []

The anterior ciliary arteries are seven small arteries in each eye-socket that supply the conjunctiva, sclera and the rectus muscles. They are derived from the muscular branches of the ophthalmic artery.

The anterior ciliary arteries are branches of the ophthalmic artery and run to the front of the eyeball in company with the extraocular muscles. They form a vascular zone beneath the conjunctiva, and then pierce the sclera a short distance from the cornea and end in the circulus arteriosus major. Three of the four rectus muscles; the superior, inferior and medial, are supplied by two ciliary arteries each, while the lateral rectus only receives one branch.

This article incorporates text in the public domain from the 20th edition of Gray's Anatomy (1918)