Arteria maxillaris

Arteria Maxillaris is the Latin term for the maxillary artery, a major blood vessel in the human anatomy. It is one of the two terminal branches of the external carotid artery, the other being the superficial temporal artery. The maxillary artery supplies blood to the deep structures of the face, including the maxilla, mandible, teeth, and oral and nasal cavities.

Origin and Course

The maxillary artery originates behind the neck of the mandible from the external carotid artery. It courses forward, passing through the parotid gland and then turning medially to enter the infratemporal fossa. It then continues its course, passing through the pterygomaxillary fissure into the pterygopalatine fossa.

Branches

The maxillary artery is traditionally divided into three parts: mandibular, pterygoid, and pterygopalatine, each with their respective branches.

Mandibular Part

The branches of the mandibular part of the maxillary artery include the deep auricular artery, anterior tympanic artery, inferior alveolar artery, middle meningeal artery, and accessory meningeal artery.

Pterygoid Part

The branches of the pterygoid part of the maxillary artery include the masseteric artery, deep temporal arteries, pterygoid arteries, and buccal artery.

Pterygopalatine Part

The branches of the pterygopalatine part of the maxillary artery include the sphenopalatine artery, descending palatine artery, infraorbital artery, posterior superior alveolar artery, and pharyngeal artery.

Clinical Significance

The maxillary artery is of clinical significance in several medical and surgical procedures. For example, it is a key landmark in parotid gland surgery, and its branches are often involved in epistaxis (nosebleeds). Knowledge of the maxillary artery's anatomy is also crucial in maxillofacial surgery and dental surgery.