Dorsal Nasal Artery

Description

Arising from the ophthalmic artery within the orbit, the dorsal nasal artery courses anteriorly toward the medial canthus, emerging between the trochlea region and the medial palpebral ligament before turning inferiorly along the side of the nasal bridge. Its terminal branches run superficial to the nasal bones and upper lateral cartilage, traveling in close company with the infratrochlear nerve and anastomosing with the angular artery near the radix. Surrounding context logically includes the supratrochlear and supraorbital arteries superiorly, the facial artery’s angular continuation inferiorly, and a paired venous network (angular and superior ophthalmic veins) that mirrors these routes. Caliber narrows as it reaches the skin. This configuration matters for both flap planning and injection safety around the glabella and nasal dorsum. The dorsal nasal artery participates in the ophthalmic facial anastomoses, a pathway implicated in rare but catastrophic retinal ischemia when filler is inadvertently injected under pressure and refluxes toward the central retinal circulation. Surgeons also use its predictable position near the medial canthus as a landmark when elevating paramedian forehead flaps or performing medial canthopexy, where small-caliber branches can be a source of brisk bleeding. Ideal for teaching head and neck vascular anatomy in medical, dental, and ophthalmology curricula, this artwork also fits facial plastic surgery texts discussing nasal reconstruction and aesthetic complication avoidance. It supports patient-facing risk diagrams and journal figures that need a clear map of the dorsal nasal artery’s superficial termination on a male skull-based reference. Anatomical accuracy verified by SciePro's Medical Advisory Board.