Sphenopalatine artery

The sphenopalatine artery ( sphenoid palatine artery) is a blood vessel of the head. It originates from the end portion of the maxillary artery in the pterygopalatine fossa and runs through the foramen spheno of palatine bone - along with the same vein and the nasal branches ( rami nasales, in animals as nerve nasal caudalis called ) of the ulnar pterygopalatinus - into the nasal cavity.

The sphenopalatine artery supplies a large part of the nasal cavity, including the vascularized area of the nasal septum ( locus Kiesselbachi ), which is especially common starting point for nosebleeds. Optionally, the artery can be prevented when excessive epistaxis.