The variant relationship of the maxillary artery to the lateral pterygoid muscle: a cadaveric study

Abstract

Study objective: To describe the variations and anatomical landmarks of the maxillary artery Study design and population: This was a descriptive cross-sectional cadaveric study, carried out in the department of human anatomy at the University of Nairobi. Study duration: This was conducted between November 2015 and May 2016. Material and methods: Ninety three (93) hemi-sections from 48 cadavers were used for the study. Dissection of the infratemporal fossa was done to expose the MA and its branches on both sides. The distance of the MA from the articular eminence, mandibular neck, mandibular notch and pterygoid fovea were recorded. The relationship of the MA with the LPM and its branching pattern noted. Results: Out of the 93 hemi-sections dissected 67% of the MA were within the parotid gland while 33% were medial. Thirty five of the MA had a medial relationship to the LPM while, 58 were lateral. Six (6.5%) hemi-sections had the middle meningeal artery (MMA) and the inferior alveolar artery (IAA) originating from a common trunk on the MA. The accessory meningeal artery (AMA) was absent in 3 (3.2%) hemi-sections on the right side and in 2 (2.2%) on the left. Amongst all distances measured of the MA to the bony prominences; mandibular notch, condylar neck, articular eminence, the Pterygoid fovea (14.61±7.07mm for the left and13.93±6.17 and the right side) was the most reliable. Conclusion: The relationship of the MA is more lateral than medial. The most reliable bony landmark is the pterygoid fovea. The branching pattern of the IAA and MMA off the MA is inconsistent in different studies. The MA is a very variable and tortuous artery, probably influenced by age, gender and ethnicity.