Which of the following arteries is a branch of the internal carotid artery?

The ophthalmic artery is indeed a branch of the internal carotid artery. It originates from the internal carotid as it enters the orbit through the optic canal. This artery is crucial as it supplies blood to various structures in the eye, including the retina, and to parts of the forehead, scalp, and the nose.

Understanding the relationships among these arteries reveals why the other options do not belong to this category. The vertebral artery originates from the subclavian artery and supplies the posterior circulation of the brain, rather than branching from the internal carotid. The radial artery, a branch of the brachial artery, supplies the forearm and hand. The subclavian artery is a major artery that branches off the aorta (on the left side) or the brachiocephalic trunk (on the right side) and is not derived from the internal carotid artery either. Thus, the ophthalmic artery is the only option that correctly represents a branch of the internal carotid artery.