Central Retinal Artery

VESSEL PATHWAY

The central retinal artery is a branch of the ophthalmic artery.

Aorta → Brachiocephalic  (only on right) → Common Carotid → Internal Carotid → Ophthalmic → Central Retinal Artery

Source
Source
FUNCTION

 

CAUSES OF INJURY

 

CLINICAL PRESENTATION OF INJURY

Blindness can be caused in the affected eye if the central retinal artery is occluded.

Fundoscopy can show the presence of a cherry-red spot:  the retina will lose blood flow, however the macula will not (its blood supply comes from the choroid, supplied by the posterior ciliary arteries). 

OTHER INFO

 

Page updated: 07.30.2016