Corpus: Medial palpebral artery

The medial palpebral arteries are two arteries in the orbit (eye socket) that are branches of the ophthalmic artery.

There are two medial palpebral arteries:

• Superior medial palpebral artery (branch): Located at the upper edge of the eyelid
• Inferior medial palpebral artery (branch): Located at the lower lid margin

The medial palpebral arteries originate opposite the trochlea of the superior oblique muscle from the ophthalmic artery. They leave the orbit and run in the subcutaneous tissue of the free lid margin between the orbicularis oculi muscle and the tarsus (lid cartilage) from medial to lateral.

The superior medial palpebral artery anastomoses at the lateral orbital rim with the zygomaticoorbital branch of the superficial temporal artery and with the lateral superior palpebral artery from the lacrimal artery. Together with the latter, it forms the superior palpebral arch.

The inferior medial palpebral artery anastomoses at the lateral orbital rim with the lateral inferior palpebral artery from the lacrimal artery and with the transverse facial artery. Medially, it forms an anastomosis with the angular artery. The anastomosis with the lateral inferior palpebral artery is known as the inferior palpebral arch.

The medial palpebral arteries supply the eyelids and the conjunctiva with arterial blood.