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The caroticotympanic artery (tympanic branch) is a small, sometimes doubled artery which arises from (the petrous portion of) the internal carotid artery. It leaves the carotid canal through a foramen to reach the tympanic cavity.[1]: 416 It contributes arterial supply to the osseous part of the pharyngotympanic tube (Eustachian tube).[1]: 706
| Caroticotympanic arteries | |
|---|---|
| Details | |
| Precursor | Aortic arch 2 |
| Source | Petrous portion of the internal carotid artery |
| Supplies | Tympanic cavity |
| Identifiers | |
| Latin | arteriae caroticotympanicae, ramus caroticotympanicus |
| TA98 | A12.2.06.005 |
| TA2 | 4464 |
| FMA | 71691 |
| Anatomical terminology | |
Anastomoses
It forms anastomoses with the anterior tympanic branch of the maxillary artery, and the stylomastoid artery.[1]: 416
Variation
Because the caroticotympanic artery is more often absent than present, some controversy exists as to whether these are should be classified as an anatomical variation.[2] Nevertheless, its relevance to internal carotid artery pathologies supports its continued classification as a non-variation anatomical structure.[3][4] Additionally, the origin of the caroticotympanic artery as a vestige of the embryonic hyoid artery provides a developmental reason for its continued classification as a canonical branch.[5][6]
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