Lateral nasal branches of posterior ethmoidal artery

The lateral nasal branches of the posterior ethmoidal artery are small arterial branches that arise from the posterior ethmoidal artery, itself a branch of the ophthalmic artery (from the internal carotid system). These branches supply the mucosa of the posterior and superior portions of the lateral nasal wall, including the region of the superior nasal concha and the posterior ethmoidal air cells.

Anatomical Course and Relations

The posterior ethmoidal artery exits the orbit through the posterior ethmoidal foramen, located along the frontoethmoidal suture line of the medial orbital wall. After traversing the posterior ethmoidal canal, it enters the posterior ethmoidal air cells and then passes into the nasal cavity through the cribriform plate region. At this point, it gives off its terminal branches:

• Lateral nasal branches These descend along the lateral wall of the nasal cavity to supply the mucosa overlying the superior and supreme nasal conchae and the adjacent posterior ethmoid sinuses.

• Septal branches These course medially to supply the posterosuperior nasal septum.

• Meningeal branch of posterior ethmoidal artery: passes through the posterior ethmoidal foramen alongside the posterior ethmoidal nerve and enters the anterior cranial fossa, where it supplies the dura mater overlying the cribriform plate and the anterior portion of the falx cerebri.