Dorsal nasal artery: anatomy and nonsurgical rhinoplasty
- Artery
Quick facts
- Origin
- Terminal branch of the ophthalmic artery, which comes from the internal carotid.
- Exit from the orbit
- At the inner corner of the eye, above the medial palpebral ligament.
- Course
- Descends along the side of the root and dorsum of the nose, with variation in side, caliber and depth.
- Anastomoses
- With the angular artery, the lateral nasal artery and the artery of the opposite side.
- Relevance in facial harmonization
- Links the nose to the eye's circulation; occlusion can cause nasal necrosis and, in rare cases, vision loss.
The dorsal nasal artery is the final branch of the ophthalmic artery. It leaves the orbit at the inner corner of the eye and descends along the side of the root and dorsum of the nose, where it joins the angular artery, a branch of the facial artery. Because it bridges the circulation of the face and that of the eye, it is one of the structures most cited in the risk discussion of nonsurgical rhinoplasty.
What is the course of the dorsal nasal artery?
After running inside the orbit, the ophthalmic artery ends in two branches: the supratrochlear and the dorsal nasal. The dorsal nasal artery crosses the orbital septum above the medial palpebral ligament and descends over the side of the nasal root. On the dorsum, it forms a network with:
| Vessel | Origin | Where it meets |
|---|---|---|
| Angular artery | Facial artery (external carotid) | Next to the side of the nose and the inner corner of the eye |
| Lateral nasal artery | Facial artery | Ala and lateral wall of the nose |
| Dorsal artery of the opposite side | Ophthalmic artery | Over the dorsum, crossing the midline |
| Columellar branch | Superior labial artery | Columella and nasal tip |
The arterial network of the dorsum runs largely in the superficial layers, above the bone and cartilage framework, but the course, caliber and depth vary greatly between people and between sides. No plane reference is safe for every patient.
Why is nonsurgical rhinoplasty a high-risk zone?
Three factors add up in the nose:
- Adherent skin and little room: the product has little space to settle, and excess volume can compress the vessels.
- Terminal blood supply of the tip: the tip and the alae depend on a fine network, and the skin in this area quickly suffers from lack of flow.
- Link to the eye: product that enters the dorsal nasal artery or the angular artery can travel against the flow to the ophthalmic artery and block the central retinal artery.
A nose with previous surgery deserves extra caution: scars change the course of the vessels and reduce tissue elasticity.
Indication, product, the choice between cannula and needle, and technique are the decision of the licensed professional, in line with the rules of their professional council.
How does it show up in the assessment?
- Previous nasal surgeries and trauma: change the anatomy and the risk.
- Previous fillers in the nose: residual product and fibrosis.
- Tip skin: thickness, redness and visible vessels.
- Expectations: nonsurgical rhinoplasty camouflages irregularities and adjusts angles, but does not make the nose smaller.
The anatomy of the region is covered in the nose area.
Also called: dorsal nasal artery, nasal dorsal artery, nasal branch of the ophthalmic artery.
Frequently asked questions
Can nonsurgical rhinoplasty cause necrosis?
It can. The nose has adherent skin, little room for the product and an arterial network connected to the eye's circulation. Occlusion of a vessel can lead to necrosis of the nasal skin and, in rare cases, vision loss.
Which artery runs along the dorsum of the nose?
The dorsal nasal artery, the final branch of the ophthalmic artery, which joins the angular artery and the lateral nasal artery. It forms a network with vessels of the opposite side and of the nasal tip.