Quick Facts
Origin: Maxillary artery.
Course: Descends in the infratemporal fossa to enter mandibular foramen.
Branches: Mylohyoid, mental, dental, and peridental branches.
Supplied Structures: Lower jaw, lower lip, and chin.
Related parts of the anatomy
Origin
The inferior alveolar artery arises from the maxillary artery. Sometimes, it may arise from a common trunk with the middle meningeal artery.
Course
The inferior alveolar artery descends in the infratemporal fossa, posterior to the inferior alveolar nerve, lateral to the sphenomandibular ligament, and medial to the ramus of the mandible. It passes into the mandibular foramen on the mandible and traverses the mandibular canal, accompanied by the inferior alveolar nerve.
Branches
Before entering the mandibular foramen, the inferior alveolar artery gives off a mylohyoid branch. Within the mandibular canal, it gives rise to mental, dental, and peridental branches.
Supplied Structures
The inferior alveolar artery supplies the lower jaw, lower lip, and chin.
Learn more about this topic from other Elsevier products
Inferior Alveolar Artery
The inferior alveolar artery is a constant, relatively large, inferiorly oriented artery that terminates in the mental artery.
