Definition

Noun: 1. A branch of the maxillary artery: The middle meningeal artery is a major blood vessel that arises from the maxillary artery, which is itself a terminal branch of the external carotid artery. 2. Supplier of the meninges: Its primary function is to supply oxygenated blood to the dura mater, the tough outermost membrane covering the brain and spinal cord.

Usage Examples

• Anatomical Description:
• Clinical Context:

Advanced Usage

• "Groove for the middle meningeal artery": This refers to the indentation or channel on the inner surface of the skull bone where the artery and its branches travel.
  • The CT scan showed a fracture line crossing the groove for the middle meningeal artery.

Variants and Related Words

• Middle meningeal veins: The venous network that accompanies the artery and drains blood from the meningeal region.
• Accessory meningeal artery: A smaller artery that may also arise from the maxillary artery to supply adjacent areas.

Synonyms

• There are no direct common synonyms for this specific anatomical term. It is precisely identified by its name. In general anatomical contexts, it could be described as a meningeal artery or a branch of the maxillary artery.

Related Phrases

• "Rupture of the middle meningeal artery": A medical phrase describing a tear in this vessel, often due to trauma.
  • The patient's symptoms were consistent with a rupture of the middle meningeal artery.

Related Idioms

• There are no idioms specifically related to this anatomical term.

Noun

1. branch of the maxillary artery; its branches supply meninges