ciliary arteries ciliary arteries the ciliary arteries are divisible into three groups, the long posterior, short posterior, and the anterior. the short posterior ciliary arteries from six to twelve in number, arise from the ophthalmic artery as it crosses the optic nerve. the long posterior ciliary arteries, two for each eye, pierce the posterior part of the sclera at some little distance from the optic nerve. the anterior ciliary arteries are derived from the muscular branches of the ophthalmic artery. ciliary arteriesthe arteries of the choroid and iris. the greater part of the sclera has been removed.detailsidentifierslatinarteriae ciliaresmeshd019842anatomical terminology additional images the ophthalmic artery and its branches iris, front view. the terminal portion of the optic nerve and its entrance into the eyeball, in horizontal section.