Arteria alveolaris inferior

Arteria alveolaris inferior is a branch of the maxillary artery, which is itself a major branch of the external carotid artery. The arteria alveolaris inferior, also known as the inferior alveolar artery, supplies blood to the mandible and the teeth.

Anatomy

The arteria alveolaris inferior originates from the maxillary artery in the infratemporal fossa, a space in the skull located under the temporal fossa. From its origin, it descends with the inferior alveolar nerve through the mandibular foramen into the mandibular canal.

Within the canal, the artery gives off branches that supply the mandible and the teeth. These branches are known as the dental branches and the mental branch. The dental branches supply the molar and premolar teeth, while the mental branch exits the mandibular canal through the mental foramen to supply the chin and lower lip.

Clinical significance

Damage to the arteria alveolaris inferior can result in hemorrhage, or excessive bleeding, which can be a complication during surgical procedures involving the mandible, such as wisdom tooth extraction or mandibular fracture repair. Knowledge of the artery's anatomy is therefore crucial for surgeons and dentists.

See also

• Maxillary artery
• External carotid artery
• Mandible
• Infratemporal fossa
• Mandibular foramen
• Mandibular canal
• Dental branches
• Mental foramen