(anatomy) A branch of the first portion of the maxillary artery that is the largest artery supplying the dura mater, enters the cranium through the foramen spinosum, and divides into anterior and posterior branches in a groove in the greater wing of the sphenoid bone.

(anatomy) An artery that arises from the internal carotid artery, forms the anterior portion of the circle of Willis where it is linked to the artery on the opposite side by the anterior communicating artery, and passes on to supply the medial surfaces of the cerebrum.

(anatomy) One of the three arteries in the brain that form parts of the circle of Willis; it connects the anterior cerebral arteries.

(anatomy) An artery that arises by the terminal forking of the basilar artery where it forms the posterior portion of the circle of Willis and passes on to supply the lower surfaces of the temporal and occipital lobes.

(anatomy) An artery that arises from the internal carotid artery, passes along the lateral fissure, and supplies the lateral surfaces of the cerebral cortex.

(anatomy) Either of two arteries that occur one on each side of the circle of Willis and connect an internal carotid artery with a posterior cerebral artery.

(anatomy) An artery that arises from the basilar artery just before it divides to form the posterior cerebral arteries and supplies or gives off branches supplying the superior part of the cerebellum, midbrain, pineal gland, and choroid plexus of the third ventricle.

(anatomy) A single unpaired artery that is formed by the anastomosis of a branch of the vertebral artery on each side and that descends in the anterior median fissure of the spinal cord.

(anatomy) Either of two arteries of which one arises from a vertebral artery on each side below the level at which the corresponding branch of the anterior spinal artery arises and which descend on the posterior lateral surface of the spinal cord along a line passing close to the entrance of the dorsal roots to the spinal cord.

(anatomy) Synonym of inferior alveolar artery.