maxillary artery
Noun: - A major artery of the face and jaw: The maxillary artery is one of the two terminal branches of the external carotid artery. It supplies blood to deep structures of the face, including the jaws, teeth, muscles of mastication, palate, nose, and parts of the meninges.
The term "maxillary artery" is used in anatomical, medical, and dental contexts to describe this specific blood vessel. - The surgeon carefully avoided the maxillary artery during the procedure. - A blockage in the maxillary artery can cause pain and tissue damage in the lower face.
- "to ligate the maxillary artery": A surgical procedure to tie off this artery to control bleeding.
- Ligating the maxillary artery is a complex step in certain maxillofacial surgeries.
- Internal maxillary artery: An older term that is synonymous with "maxillary artery."
- Maxillary (adjective): Pertaining to the upper jawbone (maxilla). The artery is named for the region it supplies.
- External carotid artery: The parent artery from which the maxillary artery branches.
- Arteria maxillaris: The formal Latin anatomical term.
The term "maxillary artery" refers specifically to this anatomical structure and does not have other common meanings. It is distinct from the facial artery, which is a separate branch of the external carotid artery supplying more superficial facial structures.
- either of two arteries branching from the external carotid artery and supplying structure of the face