title: The anatomy of the sphenopalatine artery for the endoscopic sinus surgeon.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  This study was performed to determine the variations in the branching pattern of the sphenopalatine artery medial to the crista ethmoidalis. Seventy-seven cadaver head sides that had been sectioned sagittally in the midline with their septum removed were used after injecting pink latex to highlight the arterial vessels.
  
  
  METHODS
  The mucosa from the middle meatus from the level of the basal lamella was removed until the artery and its branches were seen and then was examined under the microscope to identify the position of the arterial branches.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The sphenopalatine artery and its branches were identified in 75 specimens. Of these 75 specimens, 73 (97%) had 2 or more branches medial to the crista ethmoidalis, 49 (67%) had 3 or more branches, 26 (35%) had 4 or more branches, and 1 specimen had 10 branches. In two specimens the artery presented as a single trunk.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The sphenopalatine artery normally starts to branch lateral to the crista ethmoidalis and these branches vary widely. It is important that the surgeon who undertakes ligation or cautery of the artery is aware of these variations, otherwise they may overlook some of the branches. With an endoscopic approach, removal of the crista ethmoidalis helps visualize these branches.
authors.affiliation: ORL-Zentrum, Hirslanden Clinic, Zurich, Switzerland.
authors.forename: Daniel B
authors.initials: DB
authors.lastname: Simmen
authors.forename: Ullas
authors.initials: U
authors.lastname: Raghavan
authors.forename: Hans Rudolf
authors.initials: HR
authors.lastname: Briner
authors.forename: Mirjana
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Manestar
authors.forename: Peter
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Groscurth
authors.forename: Nick S
authors.initials: NS
authors.lastname: Jones
mesh_terms: D002102:Cadaver; D004724:Endoscopy; D006801:Humans; D013101:Sphenoid Sinus / Q000033:anatomy & histology / Q000098:blood supply*