[Arterial vascularization and innervation of the lacrimal gland. Apropos of 100 dissections].

Abstract

The authors report the different types of arterial vascularization and lacrimal gland innervation, noticed in 100 human orbits with arterial latex injected. The lacrimal artery may be unique, arising either from the ophtalmic artery, the most frequent case (vascularization of type I) or from the external carotid system (vascularization of type II): it is possible that 2 lacrimal arteries are simultaneously present, originating from the 2 carotid system (vascularization of type III). The lacrimal gland is innerved by the lacrimal nerve and by one or several nervous branches, originated from the maxillary nerve. 3 possibilities can be found: a zigomatic branch from the maxillary nerve makes a preglandular anastomosis with the lacrimal nerve; a real lacrimal loop, which may form either an intraglandular anastomosis or be completely independant of the lacrimal nerve. Sometimes, several zigomatic rami do exist. These different variations and their frequency are analyzed and referred to the literature.