title: A rare variation of the inferior alveolar artery with potential clinical consequences.
abstract: Variations of the inferior alveolar artery are seemingly quite rare, especially with regard to its origin from the maxillary artery. We present an unusual case of an inferior alveolar artery that originated from the external carotid artery. To the best of our knowledge, our case is one of only two reports of the inferior alveolar artery arising from the external carotid artery. The clinician who deals with the mandibular region should be aware of such a variation in the arterial architecture.
authors.affiliation: Department of Anatomy and Neurosurgery, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran.
authors.forename: A A
authors.initials: AA
authors.lastname: Khaki
authors.forename: R     S
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Tubbs
authors.forename: M  M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Shoja
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Shokouhi
authors.forename: R M
authors.initials: RM
authors.lastname: Farahani
mesh_terms: D002102:Cadaver; D002342:Carotid Artery, External / Q000002:abnormalities*; D004210:Dissection; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008334:Mandible / Q000002:abnormalities / Q000098:blood supply; D008438:Maxillary Artery / Q000002:abnormalities* / Q000033:anatomy & histology; D008875:Middle Aged; D009407:Nerve Block / Q000009:adverse effects