ciliary artery

ciliary artery n.

1. Any of the arteries derived from the muscular branches of the ophthalmic artery, which perforate the anterior part of the sclera and have anastomoses with the posterior ciliary arteries; anterior ciliary artery.
2. Any of several branches of the ophthalmic artery distributed to the choroid coat of the eye; short posterior arterty.
3. Either of two branches of the ophthalmic artery to the iris that have anastomoses at the inner and outer margins of the iris; long posterior artery.

The American Heritage® Stedman’s Medical Dictionary Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company.