The retina receives its blood supply from all, except –
Correct Answer: Posterior ciliary artery
Description: This question is very tricky. As all the given vessels supply nutrition to retina. First see the nutrition and blood
supply of retina.
Nutrition and blood supply of retina
The retina recieves nutrition from two discrete circulatory systems :- i) Retinal vascular system ii) Choroidal vascular system.
Outer four layers are avascular and recieve nutrition by diffusion from choriocapillaries (choroid vascular system through anterior and posterior ciliary arteries).
Inner six layers are vascular and recieve blood supply and nutrition from central retinal artery through four retinal branches :- Superior nasal, inferior nasal, superior temporal, inferior temporal.
Arterial circle of zinn or heller (formed by anastomosis between retinal vessels and short ciliary system) supplies optic nerve head and surrounding retina.
Coming to the question
Have any one of you noticed that the outer four layers derive their nutrition by diffusion from anterior and posterior ciliary artery, but not blood supply. These layers are avascular (you can compare these four layers as cornea, which is avascular but gets its nutrition from other sources).
Central retinal artery (through its four retinal branches) and arterial circle of zinn or Haller provide blood supply and nutrition to retina.
Now read the question, examiner has specifically asked for blood supply of retina (not nutrition).
Thus, the best answer here is posterior ciliary artery.
However, posterior ciliary artery also provide blood supply indirectly as its branches participate in formation of arterial circle of Zinn or Haller (but it does not supply directly, while other three options supply directly).
So, in brief :-
Nutrition ofRetina :- Anterior and posterior ciliary arteries, central retinal artery and its retinal branches, arterial circle of Zinn or Haller.
Blood supply of Retina :- Central retinal artery and its retinal branches, arterial circle of Zinn or Haller.
Category:
Ophthalmology
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