Which statement accurately describes the vascular supply to the retina and optic nerve?

Which statement accurately describes the vascular supply to the retina and optic nerve?

• A. The inner retina is supplied by the central retinal artery; the outer retina by the choroidal circulation; the optic nerve by branches of the ophthalmic artery.
• B. The inner retina is supplied by the posterior ciliary arteries; the outer by the central retinal vein.
• C. The optic nerve has no dedicated blood supply of its own.
• D. The entire retina is supplied exclusively by the vertebral arteries.

Answer: (A)

The retina receives two separate arterial supplies: the inner retina is nourished by the central retinal artery, a branch of the ophthalmic artery, while the outer retina (including the photoreceptors) is nourished by the choroidal circulation supplied mainly by the posterior ciliary arteries. The optic nerve has its own arterial supply from branches of the ophthalmic artery, with vessels around the nerve (including short posterior ciliary arteries) contributing to the blood supply of the optic nerve head. This aligns with the statement by correctly assigning the inner retina to the central retinal artery, the outer retina to the choroidal circulation, and the optic nerve to branches of the ophthalmic artery. The other options don’t fit because the inner retina isn’t nourished by posterior ciliary arteries, the outer retina isn’t supplied by a vein, the optic nerve does have its own arterial blood supply, and the retina is not fed by vertebral arteries.

The retina receives two separate arterial supplies: the inner retina is nourished by the central retinal artery, a branch of the ophthalmic artery, while the outer retina (including the photoreceptors) is nourished by the choroidal circulation supplied mainly by the posterior ciliary arteries. The optic nerve has its own arterial supply from branches of the ophthalmic artery, with vessels around the nerve (including short posterior ciliary arteries) contributing to the blood supply of the optic nerve head.

This aligns with the statement by correctly assigning the inner retina to the central retinal artery, the outer retina to the choroidal circulation, and the optic nerve to branches of the ophthalmic artery. The other options don’t fit because the inner retina isn’t nourished by posterior ciliary arteries, the outer retina isn’t supplied by a vein, the optic nerve does have its own arterial blood supply, and the retina is not fed by vertebral arteries.