Dorsal nasal artery

The dorsal nasal artery is an artery of the face.^{[citation needed]} It is one of the two terminal branches of the ophthalmic artery. It contributes arterial supply to the lacrimal sac, and outer surface of the nose.

Dorsal nasal artery
Bloodvessels of the eyelids, front view. 1, supraorbital artery and supraorbital vein; 2, nasal artery; 3, angular artery, the terminal branch of 4, the facial artery; 5, suborbital artery; 6, anterior branch of the superficial temporal artery; 6’, malar branch of the transverse artery of the face; 7, lacrimal artery; 8, superior palpebral artery with 8’, its external arch; 9, anastomoses of the superior palpebral with the superficial temporal and lacrimal; 10, inferior palpebral artery; 11, facial vein; 12, angular vein; 13, branch of the superficial temporal vein.
Details
Source	Ophthalmic artery
Branches	Twig to the upper part of the lacrimal sac to root of the nose dorsum of the nose
Identifiers
Latin	arteria dorsalis nasi
TA98	A12.2.06.049
TA2	4500
FMA	50000
Anatomical terminology [edit on Wikidata]

Structure

Origin

The dorsal nasal artery is one of the two terminal branches of the ophthalmic artery (the other being the supratrochlear artery).^[1] It arises in the superomedial orbit.^[2]

Course and relations

It passes anteriorly^{[citation needed]} to exit the orbit between the trochlea (superiorly^{[citation needed]}), the medial palpebral ligament (inferiorly^{[citation needed]}).^[1] It gives a branch to the lacrimal sac before bifurcating into two branches: one branch anastomoses with the terminal (angular) part of the facial artery^[1] and is important for the blood supply of the face;^{[citation needed]} the other travels along the dorsum of the nose to supply the outer surface of the nose, and forms anastomoses with its contralateral fellow, and with the lateral nasal branch of the facial artery.^[1]

Distribution

The dorsal nasal artery contributes arterial supply to the lacrimal sac,^[1][3] and the outer surface of the nose.^[1]

In around 20% of individuals, it also supplies the tip of the nose.^[3]