Corpus: Sphenopalatine artery

The sphenopalatine artery is a branch of the maxillary artery that passes through the sphenopalatine foramen to supply the nasal mucosa and paranasal sinuses with arterial blood.

The sphenopalatine artery enters the nasal cavity through the sphenopalatine foramen located at the back of the superior nasal meatus. Within the nasal cavity, it gives rise to several lateral nasal branches (rami nasales posteriores laterales) that supply the mucosa of the lateral nasal wall, including the turbinates. These branches form anastomoses with the ethmoidal arteries and the nasal branches of the descending palatine artery, contributing to the blood supply of the paranasal sinuses.

The artery continues across the lower surface of the sphenoid bone, terminating as posterior septal branches on the nasal septum. These branches anastomose in Kiesselbach's plexus with the anterior ethmoidal artery and the superior labial artery, playing a significant role in the vascularization of the nasal septum.