(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.

(anatomy) A branch of the maxillary artery that is distributed to the mucous membrane of the mouth and through the mandibular canal to the teeth of the lower jaw.

(anatomy) An inferior artery that arises from the facial artery and divides into two branches of which one supplies the soft palate and the palatine glands and the other supplies especially the tonsils and the eustachian tube.

(anatomy) A branch of the ophthalmic artery that passes to the retina in the middle of the optic nerve and branches to form the arterioles of the retina.

(anatomy) The outer branch of the carotid artery that supplies the face, tongue, and external parts of the head.

(anatomy) A superior artery that arises from the descending palatine artery and sends branches to the soft palate, the palatine glands, the mucous membrane of the hard palate, and the gums.

(anatomy) The part of either carotid artery between its point of origin and its division into the internal and external carotid arteries.