Ascending pharyngeal artery

Artery: Ascending pharyngeal artery
The internal carotid and vertebral arteries. Right side.
Superficial dissection of the right side of the neck, showing the carotid and subclavian arteries.
Latin	arteria pharyngea ascendens
Gray's	subject #144 557
Supplies	pharynx
Source	external carotid artery

The ascending pharyngeal artery, the smallest branch of the external carotid, is a long, slender vessel, deeply seated in the neck, beneath the other branches of the external carotid and under the Stylopharyngeus.

Summary: The ascending pharyngeal artery is a small but important artery that supplies multiple cranial nerves and anastomotic channels to the anterior and posterior cerebral circulations. Several disease processes in the head and neck involve the ascending pharyngeal artery. To evaluate and treat such diseases, it is necessary not only to know selective angiography and embolization techniques, but also the territory of the ascending pharyngeal artery, anastomoses, and vascular supply to the vasa nervorum of lower cranial nerves. Herein, the normal angiographic anatomy of the ascending pharyngeal artery, its relationship with neighboring territories, its importance in clinical situations, and research models are reviewed.

Course

It arises from the back part of the external carotid, near the commencement of that vessel, and ascends vertically between the internal carotid and the side of the pharynx, to the under surface of the base of the skull, lying on the Longus capitis.

External links

• Ascending+pharyngeal+artery at eMedicine Dictionary

This article was originally based on an entry from a public domain edition of Gray's Anatomy. As such, some of the information contained within it may be outdated.

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