Short posterior ciliary arteries

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.
Details
Source	Ophthalmic artery
Vein	Vorticose veins
Supplies	Choroid (up to the equator of the eye) ciliary processes
Identifiers
Latin	Arteriae ciliares posteriores breves
Dorlands /Elsevier	a_61/12153868
TA	A12.2.06.031
FMA	70777
Anatomical terminology []

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

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).

The terminal portion of the optic nerve and its entrance into the eyeball, in horizontal section.

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