Ascending pharyngeal artery
(Redirected from Arteria pharyngea ascendens)
Ascending Pharyngeal Artery
The ascending pharyngeal artery is a small, yet significant artery within the head and neck region. It is considered one of the branches of the external carotid artery, originating near the carotid bifurcation, where the common carotid artery divides into the external and internal carotid arteries. The ascending pharyngeal artery plays a crucial role in supplying blood to several structures, including the pharynx, prevertebral muscles, the middle ear, the meninges, and the adjacent areas of the skull base.
Anatomy[edit | edit source]
The ascending pharyngeal artery is the smallest branch of the external carotid artery. It ascends vertically on the side of the pharynx, branching into two main sets of branches: pharyngeal branches and neuromeningeal branches. The pharyngeal branches supply the pharyngeal walls, while the neuromeningeal branches supply the cranial nerves and the meninges.
Branches[edit | edit source]
- Pharyngeal Branches: These branches supply blood to the pharyngeal walls and are involved in the vascularization of the pharynx.
- Neuromeningeal Branches: These branches are responsible for supplying blood to the cranial nerves and the meninges. They include the jugular and hypoglossal branches, among others.
Clinical Significance[edit | edit source]
The ascending pharyngeal artery is of particular interest in several medical conditions and procedures. Its involvement in supplying blood to various critical areas makes it a point of interest in surgeries and interventions involving the head and neck. Its proximity to the pharynx and the base of the skull also implicates it in procedures related to these areas.
Embolization[edit | edit source]
In cases of tumors or other pathologies involving the head and neck, embolization of the ascending pharyngeal artery can be performed. This procedure involves the deliberate occlusion of the artery to prevent blood flow to a specific area, usually to reduce the size of a tumor or to manage bleeding.
See Also[edit | edit source]
 | This anatomy article is a stub. You can help WikiMD by expanding it. |
Search WikiMD
Ad.Tired of being Overweight? Try W8MD's physician weight loss program.
Semaglutide (Ozempic / Wegovy and Tirzepatide (Mounjaro / Zepbound) available.
Advertise on WikiMD
|
WikiMD's Wellness Encyclopedia |
| Let Food Be Thy Medicine Medicine Thy Food - Hippocrates |
Translate this page: - East Asian
中文,
日本,
한국어,
South Asian
हिन्दी,
தமிழ்,
తెలుగు,
Urdu,
ಕನ್ನಡ,
Southeast Asian
Indonesian,
Vietnamese,
Thai,
မြန်မာဘာသာ,
বাংলা
European
español,
Deutsch,
français,
Greek,
português do Brasil,
polski,
română,
русский,
Nederlands,
norsk,
svenska,
suomi,
Italian
Middle Eastern & African
عربى,
Turkish,
Persian,
Hebrew,
Afrikaans,
isiZulu,
Kiswahili,
Other
Bulgarian,
Hungarian,
Czech,
Swedish,
മലയാളം,
मराठी,
ਪੰਜਾਬੀ,
ગુજરાતી,
Portuguese,
Ukrainian
Medical Disclaimer: WikiMD is not a substitute for professional medical advice. The information on WikiMD is provided as an information resource only, may be incorrect, outdated or misleading, and is not to be used or relied on for any diagnostic or treatment purposes. Please consult your health care provider before making any healthcare decisions or for guidance about a specific medical condition. WikiMD expressly disclaims responsibility, and shall have no liability, for any damages, loss, injury, or liability whatsoever suffered as a result of your reliance on the information contained in this site. By visiting this site you agree to the foregoing terms and conditions, which may from time to time be changed or supplemented by WikiMD. If you do not agree to the foregoing terms and conditions, you should not enter or use this site. See full disclaimer.
Credits:Most images are courtesy of Wikimedia commons, and templates Wikipedia, licensed under CC BY SA or similar.
Contributors: Prab R. Tumpati, MD
