Anatomical course

The ascending pharyngeal artery is the smallest branch of the external carotid artery. It arises in the carotid triangle near the carotid bifurcation and then ascends almost vertically between the internal carotid artery and the lateral pharyngeal structures toward the cranial aspect. In the pharyngeal region, its pharyngeal branches anastomose with the descending palatine artery. The vessel finally courses beneath the stylopharyngeus muscle and along the longus colli muscle to the skull base, entering the cranial cavity through the jugular foramen.

Vascular branches

Pharyngeal branches: supply to the pharyngeal musculature
Inferior tympanic artery: supply to the tympanic cavity
Posterior meningeal artery: supply to the dura mater