Home › Body Atlas › Vessels › Angular Artery

Angular Artery

arteria angularis

The angular artery is the terminal branch of the facial artery, ascending along the side of the nose to the medial angle of the eye (medial canthus) where it anastomoses with the dorsal nasal artery from the ophthalmic artery. This anastomosis connects the external carotid system (facial artery) with the internal carotid system (ophthalmic artery), creating a collateral pathway relevant in carotid disease.

Region: Head & Skull

Clinical Relevance

Clinical Notes

The angular artery marks the apex of the facial danger triangle at the medial canthus. As a dangerous zone, infections here can spread via the angular vein to the superior ophthalmic vein and the cavernous sinus. The angular artery is routinely ligated during medial canthotomy and rhinoplasty involving the nasal tip. In ophthalmic plastic surgery, the angular artery must be identified and preserved or controlled during lacrimal sac surgery and medial orbital approaches. In carotid artery disease with ICA occlusion, retrograde flow through the angular-dorsal nasal anastomosis may supply the ophthalmic artery.

Pathology

Common Injuries & Conditions

Angular Artery Anastomosis in Carotid Disease

In patients with internal carotid artery occlusion, transcranial Doppler or orbital duplex demonstrates reversed flow in the ophthalmic artery supplied retrogradely via the angular-dorsal nasal anastomosis from the facial artery, a collateral pathway that can be assessed to infer the degree of haemodynamic compromise.