Pharyngeal artery

Pharyngeal artery

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The pharyngeal artery and its branches.

The pharyngeal artery is a small artery that supplies blood to the pharynx, the part of the throat behind the mouth and nasal cavity. It is a branch of the external carotid artery, one of the two main arteries that supply blood to the head and neck.

Anatomy

The pharyngeal artery arises from the external carotid artery near the level of the thyroid gland. It travels upward and medially to reach the pharynx, where it divides into several smaller branches. These branches supply blood to the walls of the pharynx, the soft palate, and the tonsils.

Clinical significance

Because of its location and small size, the pharyngeal artery is rarely involved in medical procedures. However, it can be affected by conditions that affect the blood vessels of the head and neck, such as atherosclerosis and aneurysms.

See also

• Carotid artery
• Pharynx
• Tonsils

References

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