Anatomical study of the origin of the ophthalmic artery

Background: The origin of the ophthalmic artery serves as an angiographic landmark of the point at which the internal carotid artery becomes subdural. The extradural origin of the ophthalmic arteries existed in a considerable number of dissected cadavers. The ophthalmic artery origins have not been studied in Thailand, so our aim was to investigate the variation of the origin of the ophthalmic artery in Thais.Objective: To investigate the variation of the ophthalmic artery.Study design: A descriptive study of 114 Thai cadavers.Setting: Department of Anatomy, Faculty of Medicine, Khon Kaen University, Thailand.Subjects: 223 orbits of 114 Thai embalmed cadavers.Methods: Partly dissected orbits were succeeded to reveal the origins of the ophthalmic arteries.Conclusion:  The origin of the ophthalmic artery served as an angiographic marker of the point of the dural penetration of the internal carotid artery is found in 70% in Thai cadavers dissected in KKU Med.Schl. Gross Anatomy Laboratory.