Middle meningeal origin of the ophthalmic artery

OBJECTIVE: To examine the microsurgical anatomy and clinical significance o f an anomalous origin of the ophthalmic artery from the middle meningeal ar tery. METHODS: In the course of an anatomic study of the cavernous sinus, an anom alous ophthalmic artery arising from the middle meningeal artery was found. To further define the anatomy of the region, five additional skulls, in wh ich the arteries and veins were injected with colored latex, were dissected using 3X to 40X magnification. RESULTS: The anomalous ophthalmic artery arose from the frontal branch of t he middle meningeal artery, passed through the superior orbital fissure, an d supplied the entire contents of the orbit, as well as giving rise to the central retinal artery. This study provides the first display of this anoma ly in an anatomic dissection. CONCLUSION: The ophthalmic artery may infrequently arise from the middle me ningeal artery. This anomaly places the ophthalmic artery at risk during pr ocedures in which the dura is elevated from the greater and lesser wings of the sphenoid or when the sphenoid ridge is removed and during embolization procedures involving the branches of the external carotid artery.