Sphenopalatine artery

Sphenopalatine artery is an artery that branches off from the maxillary artery and supplies blood to the nasal cavity and parts of the pharynx.

Etymology

The term "sphenopalatine" is derived from the Greek words "sphen" meaning wedge and "palatine" referring to the palate. The artery is so named because it runs through the sphenopalatine foramen, a wedge-shaped opening in the skull, to reach the nasal cavity and palate.

Anatomy

The sphenopalatine artery originates from the third part of the maxillary artery, one of the two terminal branches of the external carotid artery. It enters the nasal cavity through the sphenopalatine foramen and gives off several branches to supply the nasal septum and lateral nasal wall. These branches include the posterior lateral nasal branches and the posterior septal branches.

Clinical significance

The sphenopalatine artery is the main artery involved in posterior epistaxis, or nosebleeds that originate from the back part of the nose. It can be ligated, or tied off, in a surgical procedure to control severe nosebleeds that cannot be managed with conservative measures.

Related terms

• Epistaxis: Bleeding from the nose, often due to rupture of small vessels overlying the cartilaginous part of the nose.
• Maxillary artery: A major artery of the face and neck, and the parent vessel of the sphenopalatine artery.
• Sphenopalatine foramen: A small opening in the skull through which the sphenopalatine artery and other structures pass.

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