[Arterial vascularization of the rectus medialis and lateralis oculi muscles (author's transl)]

The arterial vascularization of the rectus medialis and lateralis oculi muscles was studied in cadaver following the injection of a stable suspension of radiopaque barium sulfate in the internal carotid artery. This straightforward and reliable original technic allows a good visualization of the arterial branches assigned to the muscles at the time of the orbital dissection. The arterial pedicles intake points inside the muscles are optionally placed on the level with the posterior two-third and generally they are more posterior for the lateral rectus than the medial rectus. We have then removed 30 rectus medialis muscles and 30 rectus lateralis muscles for the radioanatomic study of their intrinsic vascularization. Histological tests proved that an impregnation of 10 microns was up to the capillaries and that the vascular structures were respected. We have been able to characterize main and secondary intrinsic arterial pedicles which constitute a very rich anastomotic network. The main pedicles have a central or lateral topography and their distribution is independent of the way the ophthalmic artery crosses the optic nerve.