Posterior ethmoidal artery

The posterior ethmoidal artery is an artery of the head which arises from the ophthalmic artery to supply the posterior ethmoidal air cells, and the meninges.^[1] It is smaller than the anterior ethmoidal artery.^[2]

Posterior ethmoidal artery
The ophthalmic artery and its branches. (Anterior and posterior ethmoid labeled at left.)
Details
Source	Ophthalmic artery
Branches	Meningeal branch Nasal branches
Vein	Ethmoidal veins
Supplies	Posterior ethmoidal cells Posterior ethmoidal air sinuses Dura mater of the anterior cranial fossa Upper part of the nasal mucosa
Identifiers
Latin	arteria ethmoidalis posterior
TA98	A12.2.06.043
TA2	4492
FMA	49989
Anatomical terminology [edit on Wikidata]

Anatomy

Origin

The posterior ethmoidal artery is an orbital branch of the ophthalmic artery.^[1]

Course and relations

After branching from the ophthalmic artery, the posterior ethmoidal artery passes between the upper border of the medial rectus muscle and superior oblique muscle^{[citation needed]} to reach, enter and traverse the posterior ethmoidal canal.^[3]

Branches

Meningeal branch

It emits a meningeal branch to the dura mater after entering the cranium.^[2][3]

Nasal branches

It emits nasal branches that pass through the cribriform plate to reach the nasal cavity. The nasal branches form anastomoses with the sphenopalatine artery.^[4]

Distribution

This artery supplies the posterior ethmoidal air sinuses, the dura mater^[2] of the anterior cranial fossa, and the upper part of the nasal mucosa of the nasal septum.^{[citation needed]}