Corpus: Artery of the pterygoid canal
Synonym: Vidian artery
1. Definition
The artery of the pterygoid canal is a branch of the maxillary artery that runs through the pterygoid canal.
2. Course
The artery of the pterygoid canal runs through the pterygoid canal together with the nerve and the vein of the pterygoid canal. Its branches are distributed in the upper part of the pharynx and in the auditory tube.
The artery of the pterygoid canal can occasionally also originate from the internal carotid artery or the sphenopalatine artery.