What artery is the anterior and posterior ethmoidal arteries branches of?

The anterior and posterior ethmoidal arteries are branches of the ophthalmic artery. This is significant because the ophthalmic artery is a major branch of the internal carotid artery that primarily supplies the eye and its associated structures. The anterior ethmoidal artery supplies the anterior cranial fossa, nasal cavity, and some parts of the ethmoid bone, while the posterior ethmoidal artery primarily supplies the posterior ethmoidal cells and the meninges.

Understanding the vascular supply to the ethmoidal regions is essential in clinical contexts, such as during surgical procedures involving the sinuses or when diagnosing conditions affecting the nasal and cranial regions. The connection of these arteries to the ophthalmic artery underscores its role in providing blood to critical areas of the head, including those involved in sensory functions related to vision and olfaction.