CLINICAL ANATOMY OF THE MAXILLARY ARTERY: A MORPHOMETRIC STUDY
https://doi.org/10.20340/mv-mn.2026.34(2).1007
Abstract
INTRODUCTION. The maxillary artery exhibits significant anatomical variability affecting clinical outcomes in otorhinolaryngology, neurosurgery, and maxillofacial surgery.
OBJECTIVE. This study aimed to provide a systematic morphometric characterization of the artery and its branches based on cadaveric dissection and angiographic imaging.
MATERIALS AND METHODS. Twelve heads preparations were dissected using fresh-frozen specimens with preliminary silicone arterial injection to document branching patterns, vessel diameters, and lengths accord-ing to Terminologia Anatomica. Twenty-eight digital subtraction angiograms were analyzed for in vivo meas-urement validation. Vessels were classified according to their relationship with m. pterygoideus lateralis.
RESULTS. Three main anatomical variants were identified: superficial (54.2%), deep (37.5%), and transptery-goid (8.3%). Mean proximal diameter was 2.94±0.48 mm, decreasing to 1.66±0.35 mm distally (43.5% reduc-tion). Sexual dimorphism was detected: in males D₀ was 3.12±0.44 mm versus 2.71±0.42 mm in females (p=0.012). A strong correlation was found between the initial diameter and the diameters of all major branch-es (r=0.52–0.73, p<0.001). Angiographic validation confirmed high concordance with cadaveric data (r=0.84, p<0.001).
CONCLUSION. Detailed morphometric characterization of the maxillary artery and its branches provides clin-ically relevant data for surgical planning, epistaxis management, and interventional procedures. The identi-fied sex differences and variant-specific morphometric parameters should be considered during preoperative assessment.
About the Authors
Ya. E. Nemstsveridze
Reaviz Private Moscow Medical University
Russian Federation
Competing Interests:
Russian Federation
Yakov E. Nemstsveridze
Moscow
Competing Interests:
The authors declare that they have no conflicts of interest in the planning, implementation, financing and use of the results of this study
A. A. Supilnikov
Reaviz Private Moscow Medical University; Pirogov Russian National Research Medical University
Russian Federation
Competing Interests:
Russian Federation
Aleksey A. Supil'nikov, Candidate of Medical Sciences, Docent
Moscow
Competing Interests:
The authors declare that they have no conflicts of interest in the planning, implementation, financing and use of the results of this study
A. N. Russkikh
Professor Voyno-Yasenetsky Krasnoyarsk State Medical University
Russian Federation
Competing Interests:
Russian Federation
Andrey N. Russkikh, Doctor of Medical Sciences, Docent
Moscow
Competing Interests:
The authors declare that they have no conflicts of interest in the planning, implementation, financing and use of the results of this study
B. I. Yaremin
Reaviz Private Moscow Medical University; Pirogov Russian National Research Medical University; Russian State Social University
Russian Federation
Competing Interests:
Russian Federation
Boris I. Yaremin, Candidate of Medical Sciences
Moscow
Competing Interests:
The authors declare that they have no conflicts of interest in the planning, implementation, financing and use of the results of this study
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Review
For citations:
Nemstsveridze Ya.E., Supilnikov A.A., Russkikh A.N., Yaremin B.I. CLINICAL ANATOMY OF THE MAXILLARY ARTERY: A MORPHOMETRIC STUDY. Morphological newsletter. 2026;34(2):19-27. (In Russ.) https://doi.org/10.20340/mv-mn.2026.34(2).1007
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