Short posterior ciliary arteries

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

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

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).

Additional images

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

External links

• Short+posterior+ciliary+arteries at eMedicine Dictionary

This article was originally based on an entry from a public domain edition of Gray's Anatomy. As such, some of the information contained within it may be outdated.