Inferior tympanic artery

The inferior tympanic artery is a small branch of the ascending pharyngeal artery which passes through the tympanic canaliculus alongside the tympanic branch of glossopharyngeal nerve (CN IX) to reach and provide arterial supply to the medial wall of the tympanic cavity[1] where it forms anastomoses with the other tympanic arteries.[citation needed]

Inferior tympanic artery
Superficial dissection of the right side of the neck, showing the carotid and subclavian arteries
Details
Precursoraortic arch 2
SourceAscending pharyngeal artery
Identifiers
Latinarteria tympanica inferior
TA98A12.2.05.013
TA24381
FMA49506
Anatomical terminology

Clinical significance

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In the case of a missing or underdeveloped cervical ICA, the Inferior tympanic artery can provide collateral ICA circulation by reversing flow of the caroticotympanic artery (embryologic hyoid artery). This can result in pulsatile tinnitus. The resulting aberrant carotid artery can mimic neoplasm on CT.[citation needed]

References

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  This article incorporates text in the public domain from page 557 of the 20th edition of Gray's Anatomy (1918)

  1. ^ Standring, Susan (2020). Gray's Anatomy: The Anatomical Basis of Clinical Practice (42th ed.). New York. pp. 585–586. ISBN 978-0-7020-7707-4. OCLC 1201341621.{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: location missing publisher (link)