Sphenopalatine artery: internal blood supply of the nose
Quick facts
- Definition
- Terminal branch of the maxillary artery that supplies the nasal cavity.
- Supplies
- Nasal septum and lateral walls of the nose, from the inside.
- Communication
- Anastomosis with the anterior ethmoidal artery and branches of the facial.
- Bleeding
- It is the main source of posterior nosebleeds.
- In facial harmonization
- Part of understanding the nose as a vascularly complex region.
The sphenopalatine artery is a terminal branch of the maxillary artery. It enters the nasal cavity through the sphenopalatine foramen and divides into branches that supply the nasal septum and the lateral walls of the nose, from the inside. It is also the main source of posterior nosebleeds.
How does it relate to the external nose?
The nose has an internal and an external blood supply. The internal part depends on the sphenopalatine and the anterior ethmoidal arteries; the external part, on branches of the facial and ophthalmic arteries, such as the dorsal nasal and the columellar. These networks communicate, which makes the nose an area with a lot of anastomosis.
| Territory | Main arteries |
|---|---|
| Inside of the nose | Sphenopalatine, anterior ethmoidal |
| Dorsum and tip | Dorsal nasal, lateral nasal, columellar |
| Origin of the system | Maxillary, facial and ophthalmic |
Why does it matter in facial harmonization?
Anyone performing nonsurgical rhinoplasty works in a region with fine vessels, a lot of communication and a connection to the eye's circulation. Knowing the internal network helps explain why vascular complications in the nose can present in different ways, such as pain, color change of the tip skin and symptoms inside the nose.
What to remember in practice?
Anatomy varies, and no description replaces the examination. Talk to the patient about warning signs, record the conversation in the patient record, and have an emergency protocol defined.
Also called: posterior sphenopalatine artery, posterior nasal branch of the maxillary.
Frequently asked questions
Is the sphenopalatine artery affected in nose filler?
It is deep, inside the nasal cavity. The focus in facial harmonization is on the external branches, such as the dorsal nasal and the columellar, but the internal and external networks communicate, and the nose is a high-risk zone.