Health Dictionary
Reliable, easy-to-read patient information on common medical conditions — written in plain language, free of jargon, and grounded in current evidence. Browse the most frequent diagnoses, understand what they mean for everyday life, and learn which steps and questions help you have a focused conversation with your doctor.
Descending palatine artery
Introduction
The descending palatine artery descends through the pterygopalatine canal with the anterior palatine branch of the sphenopalatine ganglion, and, emerging from the greater palatine foramen, runs forward in a groove on the medial side of the alveolar border of the hard palate to the incisive canal; the terminal branch of the artery passes upward through this canal to anastomose with the sphenopalatine artery.
Branches
Branches
Branches are distributed to the gums, the palatine glands, and the mucous membrane of the roof of the mouth; while in the pterygopalatine canal it gives off twigs which descend in the lesser palatine canals to supply the soft palate and palatine tonsil, anastomosing with the ascending palatine artery.
According to Terminologia Anatomica, the descending palatine artery branches into the “greater palatine artery” and “lesser palatine arteries”.
- The greater palatine artery goes through the greater palatine foramen, and supplies the hard palate
- The lesser palatine arteries go through the lesser palatine foramina, and supply the soft palate
Additional images
Additional images
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Base of skull. Inferior surface.
Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]