External Nasal Branch Of The Anterior Ethmoidal Artery, Anterior View

Description

Centered on the anterior skull, the external nasal branch of the anterior ethmoidal artery is traced as it exits the orbit through the anterior ethmoidal foramen, crosses the roof of the nasal cavity near the cribriform plate of the ethmoid, and reaches the dorsum and tip of the nose. From the medial orbital wall it courses inferiorly and anteriorly, running close to the nasal bones and upper lateral cartilages, where it anastomoses with terminal branches of the facial artery along the lateral nasal region. Surrounding arterial and venous channels over the frontal bone, maxilla, and periorbital region provide topographic context for the naso-orbital junction. Small vessel, high yield. This anterior perspective matters because the anterior ethmoidal artery and its external nasal branch sit at the intersection of endoscopic sinus surgery, rhinoplasty, and anterior skull base anatomy. Injury to the anterior ethmoidal artery during ethmoidectomy can retract the vessel into the orbit and produce retrobulbar hematoma with acute orbital compartment syndrome, while more distal disruption along the dorsum contributes to troublesome epistaxis or compromised soft-tissue perfusion in nasal flap work. The relationship to the ethmoid roof and medial canthus is a constant landmark when teaching safe dissection planes around the lamina papyracea. Use this plate for gross anatomy teaching of the ethmoid and orbit, ENT and facial plastics lectures on vascular supply of the external nose, and surgical atlas figures discussing anterior ethmoidal artery control in severe epistaxis or skull base approaches. It also supports radiology correlation when mapping the expected course of the artery on CTA/MRA near the medial orbital wall and nasofrontal region. Anatomical accuracy verified by SciePro's Medical Advisory Board.