Quick Facts
Origin: Maxillary artery.
Course: Passes through the mandibular notch to the deep surface of the masseter muscle.
Branches: None.
Supplied Structures: Masseter muscle and temporomandibular joint.
Related parts of the anatomy
Origin
The masseteric artery arises from the maxillary artery posterior to the tendon of the temporalis muscle.
Course
The masseteric artery passes through the mandibular notch with the masseteric nerve. It enters the deep surface of the masseter muscle.
Branches
There are no named branches; however, the masseteric artery anastomoses with masseteric branches of the facial artery and with the transverse facial branch of the superficial temporal artery.
Supplied Structures
The masseteric artery supplies the masseter muscle, while some of its ramifications may provide arterial supply to the temporomandibular joint.
Learn more about this topic from other Elsevier products
Artery
Arteries are vessels transporting blood between heart, tissues, and other organs in order to supply them with nutrition and oxygen.
