Following endaerectomy on the right common carotid, a patient is found to be blind in the right eye. It is appears that a small thrombus embolized during surgery and lodged in the aery supplying the optic nerve. Which aery would be blocked?
**Core Concept**
The central artery of the retina is responsible for supplying oxygenated blood to the inner layers of the retina, including the optic nerve. Blockage of this artery can lead to sudden vision loss in the affected eye.
**Why the Correct Answer is Right**
The central artery of the retina is the primary supplier of oxygenated blood to the inner retinal layers, including the optic nerve. During endarterectomy on the right common carotid, a small thrombus can embolize and travel to the ophthalmic artery, which then branches into the central retinal artery. Blockage of the central retinal artery can cause sudden and severe vision loss in the affected eye. The central retinal artery is responsible for supplying approximately 80% of the retina's oxygen and nutrients.
**Why Each Wrong Option is Incorrect**
**Option A:** is incorrect because the central artery of the retina is the primary supplier of oxygenated blood to the inner retinal layers, including the optic nerve, and its blockage would lead to vision loss.
**Option B:** is incorrect because the infraorbital artery primarily supplies blood to the lower eyelid and surrounding facial structures, not the optic nerve.
**Option C:** is incorrect because the lacrimal artery primarily supplies blood to the lacrimal gland and surrounding structures, not the optic nerve.
**Option D:** is incorrect because the nasociliary artery primarily supplies blood to the nasal conjunctiva and surrounding structures, not the optic nerve.
**Clinical Pearl / High-Yield Fact**
The central retinal artery is the primary supplier of oxygenated blood to the inner retinal layers, including the optic nerve, and its blockage can lead to sudden and severe vision loss. This is a classic "end-artery" situation, where blockage of a single artery can have devastating consequences.
✓ Correct Answer: A. Central artery of the retina