Which vascular supplies the inner retina versus the outer retina?

Which vascular supplies the inner retina versus the outer retina?

• A. Inner retina via central retinal artery; outer retina via choroidal circulation from the choroid
• B. Inner retina via choroid; outer via central retinal artery
• C. Inner via retinal venules; outer via arteries
• D. Inner via ciliary arteries; outer via retinal arteries

Answer: (A)

The inner retina gets its blood from the central retinal artery, a retinal branch that travels within the optic nerve and nourishes the inner layers down to the outer plexiform layer. The outer retina—especially the photoreceptors—depends on the choroidal circulation, supplied by the choroidal vessels fed by the short posterior ciliary arteries. This separation means that the central retinal artery supports the inner retinal layers, while the choroid (via the choriocapillaris) sustains the outer retina. The other options mix these sources or involve vessels not primarily responsible for inner or outer retinal nutrition.

The inner retina gets its blood from the central retinal artery, a retinal branch that travels within the optic nerve and nourishes the inner layers down to the outer plexiform layer. The outer retina—especially the photoreceptors—depends on the choroidal circulation, supplied by the choroidal vessels fed by the short posterior ciliary arteries. This separation means that the central retinal artery supports the inner retinal layers, while the choroid (via the choriocapillaris) sustains the outer retina. The other options mix these sources or involve vessels not primarily responsible for inner or outer retinal nutrition.