Describe the maxillary artery under the following headings: a. Origin, b. Course

Here are the answers to the questions from the provided exam paper.

---

Question 1: Maxillary Artery and Short Notes

i. Describe the maxillary artery under the following headings:

• a. Origin: The maxillary artery is the larger of the two terminal branches of the external carotid artery. It arises posterior to the neck of the mandible within the parotid gland.
• b. Course: It passes anteriorly, deep to the neck of the mandible, and enters the infratemporal fossa. Its course is typically divided into three parts based on its relationship to the lateral pterygoid muscle:
  • First (mandibular) part: Runs horizontally, deep to the neck of the mandible, between the mandible and the sphenomand