Corpus: Maxillary artery

The maxillary artery is one of the terminal branches of the external carotid artery. It supplies a large portion of the deep soft tissues of the face.

The maxillary artery originates in the retromandibular fossa (parotid lodge), medial to the branch mandibular at the level of the neck of the mandible. It initially runs rostrally, embedded in the parotid gland, between the neck of the mandible and the sphenomandibular ligament. Passing by the lateral pterygoid muscle in the infratemporal fossa, it enters the pterygopalatine fossa, where it has a close topographical relationship with the pterygopalatine ganglion.

The maxillary artery is divided into three sections according to its course:

3.1. Mandibular part

The posterior, retromandibular group of branches arises from the first section, the mandibular part. These branches supply the temporomandibular joint, middle ear, lower jaw, and dura mater.

• Deep auricular artery
• Anterior tympanic artery
• Inferior alveolar artery
• Middle meningeal artery
• Accessory meningeal artery

3.2. Pterygoid part

The second section, the pterygoid or muscular part, runs in the infratemporal fossa, either in front of or behind the lateral pterygoid muscle. The middle, intermuscular group of branches originates here, supplying the masticatory muscles and the cheek.

• Masseteric artery
• Deep temporal arteries (anterior and posterior)
• Pterygoid branches
• Buccal artery

3.3. Pterygopalatine part

The anterior pterygopalatine group arises from the third section in the pterygopalatine fossa, the pterygopalatine part. These branches supply the teeth of the upper jaw, the palate, and the nasal cavity.

• Posterior superior alveolar artery
• Infraorbital artery
• Descending palatine artery
• Artery of the pterygoid canal
• Sphenopalatine artery

The maxillary artery is the most important artery for the deep facial soft tissues.

MALTA for the branches of the mandibular part:

• Meningeal artery
• Alveolar artery
• Tympanic artery
• Auricular artery

"My Deep Powerful Biceps" for the branches of the pterygoid part:

• M: Masseteric artery
• D: Deep temporal arteries (anterior and posterior)
• P: Pterygoid branches
• B: Buccal artery