Microsurgical anatomy of the ophthalmic artery

Objective:To provide anatomic data of ophthalmic artery for the decompression of optic nerve. Methods: The courses,adjacent structures and branches of the intracranial and intracanal segments of ophthalmic artery were observed on 70 adult cadaveric head specimens by microanatomic and histological methods.Results: The intracranial and intracanal segments of ophthalmic artery were divided into three segments:long leg,short leg and distal part.The ophthalmic arterial impressions were found on ventral of the optic nerves(55.97%).In optic canal,ophthalmic artery went into optic nerve sheath,its branches passed through inferior part of optic nerve. Conclusions: During the inferior wall of optic canal was incised,the ophthalmic artery should be protected.It would be safe to incise the superior lateral wall of intra canal optic sheath in the decompression of optic nerve.