Palatine arteries

Palatine arteries are a group of arteries that supply blood to the palate, the roof of the mouth. They are branches of the maxillary artery, which is itself a branch of the external carotid artery. The palatine arteries include the greater and lesser palatine arteries, which supply the hard and soft palates respectively, and the ascending palatine artery, which supplies the pharynx.

Etymology

The term "palatine" comes from the Latin palatum, meaning "roof of the mouth". The term "artery" comes from the Greek arteria, meaning "windpipe", which was used in ancient times to refer to all tubular structures in the body, including blood vessels.

Greater palatine artery

The greater palatine artery is a branch of the descending palatine artery, which is itself a branch of the maxillary artery. It descends through the greater palatine canal to the hard palate, where it divides into smaller branches that supply the gums and the mucous membrane of the hard palate.

Lesser palatine arteries

The lesser palatine arteries are usually two in number, and are also branches of the descending palatine artery. They descend through the lesser palatine canals to the soft palate, where they supply the tonsils, the uvula, and the upper part of the pharynx.

Ascending palatine artery

The ascending palatine artery is a branch of the facial artery, which is itself a branch of the external carotid artery. It ascends along the side of the pharynx, supplying it and the palatine tonsil.

Related terms

• Palatine canal
• Palatine tonsil
• Pharynx
• Maxillary artery
• External carotid artery

See also

• List of arteries of the human body
• Blood supply of the head and neck

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