The artery of the pterygoid canal (Vidian artery) is an artery that can arise from the internal carotid (ICA) or external carotid (ECA), or serve as an anastomosis between these arteries.1 It more commonly arises from the ECA.2 The eponym derived from Vidus Vidius.3
From external carotidThe artery passes backward along the pterygoid canal with the corresponding nerve. It is distributed to the upper part of the pharynx and to the auditory tube, sending into the tympanic cavity a small branch which anastomoses with the other tympanic arteries. It can end in the oropharynx.4 From internal carotidThe artery is a small, inconstant branch which passes into the pterygoid canal and anastomoses with a branch of the maxillary artery. See alsoReferences
External linksThis article was originally based on an entry from a public domain edition of Gray's Anatomy. As such, some of the information contained herein may be outdated. Please edit the article if this is the case, and feel free to remove this notice when it is no longer relevant.
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