Central retinal artery
(Redirected from Arteria retinae centralis)
Central retinal artery
The central retinal artery is a critical blood vessel that supplies oxygenated blood to the retina of the eye. It is a branch of the ophthalmic artery, which itself is a branch of the internal carotid artery. The central retinal artery plays a vital role in maintaining the health and function of the retina, which is essential for vision.
Anatomy[edit | edit source]
The central retinal artery originates from the ophthalmic artery and enters the eye through the optic nerve. It travels within the optic nerve and reaches the retina, where it branches out to form the retinal arterioles. These arterioles further divide into capillaries that supply the inner layers of the retina.
Function[edit | edit source]
The primary function of the central retinal artery is to provide the retina with the necessary oxygen and nutrients required for its metabolic activities. The retina is a highly active tissue with a significant demand for oxygen, making the central retinal artery crucial for its function.
Clinical Significance[edit | edit source]
The central retinal artery can be involved in various medical conditions, most notably central retinal artery occlusion (CRAO). CRAO is an ophthalmic emergency that results from the blockage of the central retinal artery, leading to sudden, painless loss of vision in the affected eye. This condition requires immediate medical attention to prevent permanent vision loss.
Other conditions that can affect the central retinal artery include retinal artery embolism, retinal artery thrombosis, and retinal artery aneurysm. These conditions can compromise the blood flow to the retina and result in visual disturbances or loss.
Diagnosis and Treatment[edit | edit source]
Diagnosis of central retinal artery-related conditions typically involves a comprehensive eye examination, including fundoscopy, fluorescein angiography, and optical coherence tomography (OCT). Treatment options vary depending on the specific condition but may include medications to dissolve clots, surgical interventions, or laser therapy.
See Also[edit | edit source]
References[edit | edit source]
External Links[edit | edit source]
 | This medical article is a stub. You can help WikiMD by expanding it. |
Search WikiMD
Ad.Tired of being Overweight? Try W8MD's physician weight loss program.
Semaglutide (Ozempic / Wegovy and Tirzepatide (Mounjaro / Zepbound) available.
Advertise on WikiMD
|
WikiMD's Wellness Encyclopedia |
| Let Food Be Thy Medicine Medicine Thy Food - Hippocrates |
Translate this page: - East Asian
中文,
日本,
한국어,
South Asian
हिन्दी,
தமிழ்,
తెలుగు,
Urdu,
ಕನ್ನಡ,
Southeast Asian
Indonesian,
Vietnamese,
Thai,
မြန်မာဘာသာ,
বাংলা
European
español,
Deutsch,
français,
Greek,
português do Brasil,
polski,
română,
русский,
Nederlands,
norsk,
svenska,
suomi,
Italian
Middle Eastern & African
عربى,
Turkish,
Persian,
Hebrew,
Afrikaans,
isiZulu,
Kiswahili,
Other
Bulgarian,
Hungarian,
Czech,
Swedish,
മലയാളം,
मराठी,
ਪੰਜਾਬੀ,
ગુજરાતી,
Portuguese,
Ukrainian
Medical Disclaimer: WikiMD is not a substitute for professional medical advice. The information on WikiMD is provided as an information resource only, may be incorrect, outdated or misleading, and is not to be used or relied on for any diagnostic or treatment purposes. Please consult your health care provider before making any healthcare decisions or for guidance about a specific medical condition. WikiMD expressly disclaims responsibility, and shall have no liability, for any damages, loss, injury, or liability whatsoever suffered as a result of your reliance on the information contained in this site. By visiting this site you agree to the foregoing terms and conditions, which may from time to time be changed or supplemented by WikiMD. If you do not agree to the foregoing terms and conditions, you should not enter or use this site. See full disclaimer.
Credits:Most images are courtesy of Wikimedia commons, and templates Wikipedia, licensed under CC BY SA or similar.
Contributors: Prab R. Tumpati, MD
