Ace the NBEO Ocular Anatomy 2026: Master the Post Seg & Cranial Nerves with Confidence!

The cilioretinal artery comes from the posterior ciliary arterial system, specifically as a branch of the short posterior ciliary arteries that supply the choroid and its choriocapillaris. From there it can enter the retina near the optic nerve and perfuse the macular area. This distinguishes it from the central retinal artery, and from the long posterior ciliary arteries, which do not typically give rise to the cilioretinal artery. So its source is the short posterior ciliary arteries feeding the choroidal circulation.