Posterior meningeal artery

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Synonyms
PMA, Posterior meningeal artery

The posterior meningeal artery (posterior meningeal artery, PMA) supplies parts of the Dura mater.

Anatomy

The posterior meningeal artery arises from the Arteria pharyngea ascendesArteria carotis externaForamen jugularePICA[^2].

Imaging

The posterior meningeal artery is best visualized on digital subtraction angiography and can be divided into an extracranial and an intracranial segment. The extracranial segment of the posterior meningeal artery is often corkscrew-shaped, whereas the intracranial segment follows a straight course[^3].

Posterior meningeal artery DSA
Digital subtraction angiography showing the posterior meningeal artery. The single white arrow indicates the extracranial tortuous portion of the posterior meningeal artery. The double white arrow indicates the considerably straighter portion of the posterior meningeal artery. Figure adapted from Wang G et al. Neuroradiol J. 2019 Jun; 32(3): 158–165.

Clinical relevance

  • The posterior meningeal artery is frequently involved in dural arteriovenous fistulas in the posterior fossa[^3].

  • In ischemia or Moyamoya disease, the posterior meningeal artery can form anastomoses with the pial arteries on the brain surface, thereby establishing collateral circulation[^3].

  • Aneurysms can develop in the posterior meningeal artery, the most common of which are traumatic Pseudoaneurysms[^3].

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Edit · Alaric Steinmetz · (+61 −91)
  • Text added: “The posterior meningeal artery arises from the Arteria pharyngea ascendes Arteria carotis externa Foramen jugulare PICA [^2].”
  • Text removed: “The posterior meningeal artery originates from the ascending pharyngeal artery , a branch of the external carotid artery and enters intracranially via the jugular foramen [^1]. As an anatomical variant, the posterior meningeal artery can rarely also arise from the PICA [^2].”
  • Text changed: “The posterior meningeal artery (PMA) supplies parts of the dura mater .”“The posterior meningeal artery (posterior meningeal artery, PMA) supplies parts of the Dura mater .”
  • Text changed: “The posterior meningeal artery can be optimally demonstrated in digital subtraction angiography and can be divided into an extracranial and intracranial part. The extracranial part of the posterior meningeal artery is often coiled, whereas the intracranial part has a straight course [^3].”“The posterior meningeal artery is best visualized on digital subtraction angiography and can be divided into an extracranial and an intracranial segment. The extracranial segment of the posterior meningeal artery is often corkscrew-shaped, whereas the intracranial segment follows a straight course[^3].”
  • Text changed: “Clinical Relevance”“Clinical relevance”

Article created on · Alaric Steinmetz

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