Blood supply of conjunctiva

Arteries supplying the conjunctiva are derived from
three sources (Fig. 1):

(1) peripheral arterial arcade of the eyelid;
(2) marginal arcade of the eyelid; and
(3) anterior ciliary arteries.

• Palpebral conjunctiva and fornices are supplied by branches from the peripheral and marginal arterial arcades of the eyelids.
• Bulbar conjunctiva is supplied by two sets of vessels: the posterior conjunctival arteries which are branches from the   arterial arcades of the eyelids; and the anterior conjunctival arteries which are the branches of anterior ciliary arteries.Terminal branches of the posterior conjunctival arteries anastomose with the anterior conjunctival arteries to form the pericorneal plexus.

Fig. 1. Blood supply of conjunctiva

Veins from the conjunctiva drain into the venous
plexus of eyelids and some around the cornea into
the anterior ciliary veins.

Lymphatics of the conjunctiva are arranged in two

layers: a superficial and a deep. Lymphatics from the
lateral side drain into preauricular lymph nodes and
those from the medial side into the submandibular
lymph nodes.

Nerve supply of conjunctiva
A circumcorneal zone of conjunctiva is supplied by
the branches from long ciliary nerves which supply
the cornea. Rest of the conjunctiva is supplied by the
branches from lacrimal, infratrochlear, supratrochlear,
supraorbital and frontal nerves.