Origin and location
The sphenopalatine artery is a branch of the maxillary artery (a. maxillaris). The maxillary artery itself arises from the external carotid artery within the parotid gland, curves around the neck of the mandibular condyle, and divides into three parts.
The sphenopalatine artery originates in the third, pterygopalatine part (pars pterygopalatina), which is located in the pterygopalatine fossa (fossa pterygopalatina). In this same part, the infraorbital artery, posterior superior alveolar arteries, descending palatine artery, and artery of the pterygoid canal branch off from the maxillary artery.
What passes through the sphenopalatine foramen?
The sphenopalatine foramen (foramen sphenopalatinum) connects the pterygopalatine fossa with the nasal cavity. The following structures pass through this foramen:
- Sphenopalatine artery (a. sphenopalatina).
- Corresponding veins.
- Posterior superior lateral and medial nasal branches (rr. nasales posteriores superiores laterales et mediales) — branches of the maxillary nerve (n. maxillaris).
Branches and area of blood supply
The sphenopalatine artery gives off the following branches:
- Posterior lateral nasal branches (rr. nasales posteriores laterales) — run toward the lateral wall of the nasal cavity, nasal conchae, and paranasal sinuses.
- Posterior septal branch (r. septalis posterior) — runs toward the nasal septum.
The anterior and posterior ethmoidal arteries (aa. ethmoidales anterior et posterior) also participate in the blood supply to the nasal cavity. Venous blood drains into the pterygoid plexus (plexus pterygoideus). Innervation of the posterior parts of the nasal cavity is provided by the posterior nasal nerves (nn. nasales posteriores), which are branches of the maxillary nerve and pass through the pterygopalatine ganglion (ganglion pterygopalatinum).
Anastomoses and clinical significance
The sphenopalatine artery anastomoses with branches of the ophthalmic artery and the greater palatine artery, forming a connection between the external and internal carotid artery systems.
- Connection with the ophthalmic artery (a. ophthalmica), which is a branch of the internal carotid artery.
- Connection with the greater palatine artery (a. palatina major). This anastomosis occurs through the incisive canal. The greater palatine artery is a branch of the descending palatine artery (a. palatina descendens), which also originates in the pterygopalatine fossa and runs along the hard palate.
Class and exam questions
From which part of the maxillary artery does the a. sphenopalatina arise?
It arises from the third, pterygopalatine part (pars pterygopalatina) of the maxillary artery, lying within the pterygopalatine fossa.
Through which foramen does the artery enter the nasal cavity?
The artery passes through the sphenopalatine foramen (foramen sphenopalatinum) along with the corresponding veins and nasal nerve branches.
With which arteries does the sphenopalatine artery anastomose?
It forms anastomoses with branches of the ophthalmic artery (a. ophthalmica) and the greater palatine artery (a. palatina major), connecting the basins of the external and internal carotid arteries.
What else to study on this topic
- Maxillary artery (a. maxillaris)
- Pterygopalatine fossa (fossa pterygopalatina)
- Blood supply to the nasal cavity
- Ophthalmic artery (a. ophthalmica)
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