Plan of branches of internal maxillary artery. (middle meningeal visible top left)
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|Latin
|colspan="2"|a. meningea media
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|colspan="2"|[subject #144 ]
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|Supplies
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|From
|colspan="2"|Internal Maxillary artery
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|Vein
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|MeSH
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|Dorlands/Elsevier
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The middle meningeal artery is typically the first branch of the first part (retromandibular part) of the maxillary artery; one of the two terminal branches of the external carotid artery. After branching off the maxillary artery, it runs through the foramen spinosum to supply the dura (one of the meninges) and the calvaria.
It has three branches: the temporal, pterygonal and coronal branch.
Also, about half of the time it branches into an "accessory meningeal artery".
The middle meningeal artery runs beneath the pterion. It is vulnerable to injury at this point, where the skull is thin. Rupture of the artery may give rise to an extradural haematoma.
The anterior branch, the larger, crosses the great wing of the sphenoid, reaches the groove, or canal, in the sphenoidal angle of the parietal bone, and then divides into branches which spread out between the dura mater and internal surface of the cranium, some passing upward as far as the vertex, and others backward to the occipital region.
The posterior branch curves backward on the squama of the temporal bone, and, reaching the parietal some distance in front of its mastoid angle, divides into branches which supply the posterior part of the dura mater and cranium.
The branches of the middle meningeal artery are distributed partly to the dura mater, but chiefly to the bones; they anastomose with the arteries of the opposite side, and with the anterior and posterior meningeal.
Branches upon entering cranium
The middle meningeal on entering the cranium gives off the following branches:
(1) Numerous small vessels supply the semilunar ganglion and the dura mater in this situation.
(3) A superior tympanic artery runs in the canal for the Tensor tympani, and supplies this muscle and the lining membrane of the canal.
(4) Orbital branches pass through the superior orbital fissure or through separate canals in the great wing of the sphenoid, to anastomose with the lacrimal or other branches of the ophthalmic artery.
(5) Temporal branches pass through foramina in the great wing of the sphenoid, and anastomose in the temporal fossa with the deep temporal arteries.
Clinical relevance
The middle meningeal artery is sometimes involved in subdural haemorrhage, which is most common in infants and the elderly. This type of haemorrhage can be accute or chronic. Acute haemorrhages usually result from severe head injuries. Treatment may involve a surgical craniotomy to evacuate the haematoma. See also above for extradural haematoma.
Accessory Meningeal Branch
The Accessory Meningeal Branch (ramus meningeus accessorius; small meningeal or parvidural branch) is sometimes derived from the preceding. It enters the skull through the foramen ovale, and supplies the semilunar ganglion and dura mater.
