The middle meningeal artery arises from the superior side of first part of maxillary artery (mandibular portion), being its largest branch. Then it travels upwards and passes through the foramen spinosum into the cavity of the skull, where it divides into a frontal and a parietal branch. These two main branches extend across the external surface of dura mater in the arterial sulci of the cranial bones. They supply the sulci as well as the temporal, frontal, and parietal areas of dura mater.
Along its course, the middle meningeal artery gives off the following branches: 1) the accessory meningeal artery, which originates from the extracranial part of the middle meningeal to supply the pterygoid muscles, the pharyngotympanic tube, and the muscles of palate; 2) superior tympanic artery, which supplies the mucous membrane of tympanic cavity; 3) superficial petrosal branch, which arises above the foramen spinosum and then stretches laterally and to the back to supply bone tissue.
Below, a picture of the right side of face showing the maxillary and the middle meningeal artery.
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