The correct spelling of the medical term "Ciliary Arteries" is /ˈsɪli.ɛri ˈɑr.tər.i.z/. The word ciliary refers to the ciliary body of the eye, and arteries are blood vessels that carry oxygenated blood away from the heart. The IPA phonetic transcription of this word indicates that the initial "c" sound is pronounced as /s/, while the "i" is pronounced as /ɪ/ and the "y" is pronounced as /i/. The emphasis is on the second syllable, with the "a" being pronounced as /ɑ/.
Ciliary arteries refer to a series of small blood vessels that supply the ciliary body, iris, and adjacent structures of the eye. These arteries are a vital component of the ocular circulatory system and play a crucial role in maintaining proper eye function.
The ciliary arteries are branches of the ophthalmic artery, which is a major blood vessel that arises from the internal carotid artery. They pass through the optic disc and divide into two main branches, the major arterial circle (circulus arteriosus major) and the minor arterial circle (circulus arteriosus minor). These circles are located near the iris and are responsible for providing blood supply to the ciliary processes and adjacent eye tissues.
The ciliary arteries supply oxygen and nutrients to the ciliary body, which is responsible for producing aqueous humor, a fluid that nourishes the cornea and lens. Additionally, they provide blood flow to the iris, which controls the amount of light entering the eye through its dilation and contraction.
Any disruption or damage to the ciliary arteries can lead to severe consequences such as impaired ocular circulation, reduced vision, glaucoma, or other eye disorders. Therefore, the health and proper functioning of the ciliary arteries are critical for maintaining optimal eye health and vision.
The word "ciliary" derives from the Latin term "cilia", which refers to the eyelashes. The Latin word "ciliaris" pertains to the cilia or the eyelashes, and it is formed from the noun "cilium" meaning "eyelid" or "eyelash". Consequently, "ciliary" categorizes anything related to the cilia or eyelashes.
Regarding the term "arteries", it originates from the Latin word "arteria", which is derived from the Greek term "artēria". Given that the arteries carry oxygenated blood away from the heart to various parts of the body, the Greek word "artēria" means "air tube" or "windpipe". The concept is based on the belief held by ancient anatomists that the arteries contained air, not blood, which was thought to be held in the veins.