Vascular anatomy of aortic branches to eye

First branch of the aorta is the inominate artery, which divides to form the right subclavian and right common carotid artery. Next off the aorta is the left common carotid artery. Finally is the left subclavian.

Each cca enters the neck through the carotid canal in the temporal bone (petrous carotid) across foramen lacerum to enter to cavernous sinus. Minor branches from the petrosal carotid are the corticotympanic branch to the tympanic cavity and the vidian branch to the pterygoid canal. Then, and after exiting the cavernous sinus, gives off the first major branch the opthalmic artery. In ten percent, the opthalmic artery originates from the cavernous carotid. The opthalmic artery supplies the optic nerve, retina, and other eye. Muscular branches supply the extraocular muscles. The central retinal artery enters the optic nerve and supplies the anterior optic nerve head and retina. Most of the optic nerve derives from two or more long posterior ciliary arteries. The optic nerve head is a potential watershed area between the posterior ciliaries.

After the opthalmic artery, the ICA gives off the posterior communicating then the anterior choroidal artery. Penetrators from the PCOM supply the ht, optic tract and chiasm, and anterior and ventral thalamic nuclei.