Maxillary artery

Branches of the first (mandibular) division

The deep auricular artery is the first branch of the mandibular part. This branch runs upwards to enter the ear and courses superficially to the tympanic membrane, passing between the cartilage and bone. It supplies the external acoustic meatus of the ear and the deep surface of the tympanic membrane.

The anterior tympanic artery is the second branch that courses near the tympanic membrane. It passes deep to the membrane, through the petrotympanic fissure to the middle ear to join the circular anastomosis around the tympanic membrane.

The middle meningeal artery passes straight upwards through the foramen spinosum to join the two roots of the auriculotemporal nerve. It supplies bones of the skull (calvaria) and the dura mater.

The inferior alveolar artery - runs inferiorly and anteriorly towards the inferior alveolar nerve, to meet the nerve at the inferior alveolar (a.k.a. mandibular) foramen. The artery runs further anteriorly in the mandible, supplying the pulps of the mandibular teeth (with its dental branches) and the body of the mandible. Its other branch, the mental branch, emerges from the mental foramen and supplies the lower lip and skin of the chin. 

The accessory meningeal artery is the main source of blood supply to the trigeminal ganglion. It passes upwards through the foramen ovale to supply the dura mater of the floor of the middle fossa and of the trigeminal cave (Meckel’s cave).

Branches from the 2nd (pterygoid) segment

All branches from the pterygoid part supply only soft tissues.

The masseteric artery accompanies the lingual nerve. It is small, and passes laterally through the mandibular notch to the deep surface of the masseter muscle.

The pterygoid arteries are small branches that vary in number. They supply the lateral pterygoid muscle and medial pterygoid muscle.

The deep temporal arteries course between the temporalis muscle and the pericranium. The main function of this branch is to provide arterial supply to the temporalis muscle. 

The buccal (buccinator) artery runs obliquely forward, between the medial pterygoid muscle and the insertion of the temporalis muscle, to the outer surface of the buccinator muscle. It mainly supplies the buccinator muscle. Along its course, it forms anastomoses with branches of the facial and infraorbital arteries. 

Branches from the 3rd (pterygopalatine) segment

The sphenopalatine artery mainly supplies the nasal cavity which is why it is also referred to as the nasopalatine artery. It passes through the sphenopalatine foramen and enters the nasal cavity. Here it gives off its posterior lateral nasal branches. Crossing the inferior surface of the sphenoid, the sphenopalatine artery ends on the nasal septum giving off the posterior septal branches.

The descending palatine artery descends through the greater palatine canal with the greater and lesser palatine branches of the pterygopalatine ganglion. It terminates by dividing into the greater and lesser palatine arteries that provide blood supply for the hard palate and soft palate, respectively.

The infraorbital artery passes forwards through the inferior orbital fissure, along the floor of the orbit and infraorbital canal to emerge with the infraorbital nerve on the face.

The posterior superior alveolar artery supplies the maxillary teeth. It gives branches that accompany the corresponding nerves through foramina in the posterior wall of the maxilla.

The middle superior alveolar artery is most often a branch of the infraorbital artery.  It arises within the infraorbital canal where it descends to supply the maxillary sinus and plexus at the level of the canine tooth.

The pharyngeal artery supplies structures such as the pharynx and roof of the nose.

The anterior superior alveolar artery is branch of the infraorbital artery. 

The artery of the pterygoid canal runs into the pterygoid canal. It passes backwards along the pterygoid canal with the corresponding nerve. It supplies the upper part of the pharynx, and sends a small division into the tympanic cavity to anastomose with the tympanic arteries.