Posterior septal branches of sphenopalatine artery

At a glance

English

Posterior septal branches of sphenopalatine artery

Latin (TA2)

Rami septales posteriores arteriae sphenopalatinae

System

Artery

Region

Head

Side

Paired, left and right

About the posterior septal branches of sphenopalatine artery

The posterior septal branches are the end branches of the sphenopalatine artery, the last part of the maxillary artery. The sphenopalatine artery leaves the pterygopalatine fossa through the sphenopalatine foramen into the back of the nasal cavity, gives posterior lateral nasal branches to the conchae, then passes beneath the body of the sphenoid to reach the septum, where it continues as these septal branches.

On the septum they run forwards and downwards in the mucoperiosteum, supplying most of the septal lining. Their territory covers the vomer and the perpendicular plate of the ethmoid together with the overlying septal cartilage. One longer branch, often called the nasopalatine artery, follows a groove obliquely down and forwards across the vomer to reach the incisive canal, alongside the nasopalatine nerve.

These branches take part in a rich set of anastomoses. Above, they meet the anterior and posterior ethmoidal arteries from the ophthalmic. In front, they meet the superior labial artery's septal twig, which comes from the facial. Through the incisive canal, the nasopalatine branch joins the greater palatine artery, the continuation of the descending palatine artery. The meeting point of these vessels in the front of the septum is Kiesselbach's plexus, also called Little's area.

Little's area is the source of most nosebleeds, because its vessels are close to the surface and easily damaged by drying, picking or minor trauma. Bleeds from the back of the nose, which are more troublesome, often come from the sphenopalatine territory, and may be controlled by tying, clipping or cauterising the artery through the nose. The posterior septal branches are also the blood supply of the nasoseptal flap, a strip of septal lining swung on a pedicle and used to seal the skull base after endoscopic surgery.

Course and supply

Arises from

The sphenopalatine artery, after it passes beneath the sphenoid body onto the nasal septum.

Ends in

End in the septal mucosa, one branch running along the vomer as far as the incisive canal, where it joins the greater palatine artery.

Supplies

Supply the mucoperiosteum of most of the nasal septum.