The Arteria canalis pterygoidei is an arterial branch of the maxillary artery, which in turn is a terminal branch of the Arteria carotis externa
Anatomy
The Arteria canalis pterygoidei travels through the pterygoid canal together with the nerve of the same name, the nerve of the pterygoid canal, and the vein of the pterygoid canal. The terminal branches are distributed in the superior part of the pharynx and the auditory tube.
Variants
As an anatomical variant, the Arteria canalis pterygoidei may also arise from the Arteria carotis interna