Variations in the course of the maxillary artery in Japanese adults

Abstract

Many authors have studied variation in the maxillary artery but there have been inconsistencies between reported observations. The present research aimed to examine the courses and branching patterns of the trunk and branches of the maxillary artery in a large sample of Japanese adult cadavers. The course of the maxillary artery should be reclassified into seven groups as a clear relationship was found between the origin of the middle meningeal artery and the course of the maxillary artery. This indicates that conventional theory about the formation of the maxillary artery, which was considered to be a direct derivative of the stapedial artery, might be inaccurate. Many variations in the origin of the inferior alveolar artery were found. Notably, the inferior alveolar artery origin from the external carotid artery and a double origin of the inferior alveolar artery was also observed. Thus, the maxillary artery might be derived from a combination of both the external carotid and stapedial arteries.

Divided maxillary artery in relation to the lateral pterygoid muscle

“…We describe a maxillary artery that branches, but does not re-unite. The most similar reports are the piercing Group C Intermediate type (three instances) from Maeda et al (2012). In the present case, both branches of the artery were superficial to the lateral pterygoid, and variable in their relationship to mandibular nerve branches, and the lower branch pierced lateral pterygoid at its midpoint, travelling from beneath and emerging from the anterior surface.…”

“…The maxillofacial division common stem regresses, leaving the maxillary artery originating from the external carotid artery. Middle meningeal artery origin may therefore be related to the subsequent form of the maxillary artery (Maeda et al 2012). In the present case, the deep looping mandibular portion and short extracranial segment of the middle meningeal artery could relate to this development.…”

“…Lasker et al (1951) reported five piercings in 216 specimens (109 cadavers). Maeda et al (2012) reported three piercings (Group C Intermediate) in 208 specimens (104 cadavers).…”

“…Division into two branches is rarer still, with only three reported cases: Tadokoro et al (2008) and Claire et al (2011) reported branches that did not re-unite, Maeda et al (2012) reported a re-uniting branch. We describe a maxillary artery that branches, but does not re-unite.…”

Determining the location of the internal maxillary artery on ultrasonography and unenhanced magnetic resonance imaging before orthognathic surgery

“…[17][18][19][20] The frequency of an IMA running lateral to the lateral pterygoid muscle has been reported to be 92.7% in Mongoloids (Japanese) and 66.6% in Caucasoids; the frequency of the lateral type tends to be significantly higher in Mongoloids (Japanese) than in Caucasoids. 21 In the present study, 37 of the 38 sides evaluated (97%) exhibited the lateral type, while only one (3%) contained the medial type.…”