The middle meningeal artery (MMA) is one of the largest branches of the external carotid artery (ECA) and the most important dural artery, since it supplies more than two-thirds of the cranial dura [1]. However, the most interesting aspects of the MMA are not its size or its clinical importance, but its embryological development and numerous anatomical variations. The understanding of the anatomy and variants of the MMA imposes a good knowledge of the hyostapedial system and of the vascular anatomy of the middle ear. In this chapter, we will summarize the most important steps of the MMA embryological development and will explain the possible anatomical variations of the MMA. The knowledge of these variants is important especially for neuroradiologists to treat dural pathologies as well as for surgeons that approach the middle ear pathologies.

Anatomy, embryology and variations of the middle meningeal artery

Ciccio' G.
Data Curation
;
2023-01-01

Abstract

The middle meningeal artery (MMA) is one of the largest branches of the external carotid artery (ECA) and the most important dural artery, since it supplies more than two-thirds of the cranial dura [1]. However, the most interesting aspects of the MMA are not its size or its clinical importance, but its embryological development and numerous anatomical variations. The understanding of the anatomy and variants of the MMA imposes a good knowledge of the hyostapedial system and of the vascular anatomy of the middle ear. In this chapter, we will summarize the most important steps of the MMA embryological development and will explain the possible anatomical variations of the MMA. The knowledge of these variants is important especially for neuroradiologists to treat dural pathologies as well as for surgeons that approach the middle ear pathologies.
2023
Embryology
Foramen spinosum
Middle meningeal artery
Ophthalmic artery
Stapedial artery
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Utilizza questo identificativo per citare o creare un link a questo documento: https://hdl.handle.net/20.500.12317/99458
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