Which artery is the major supply to internal structures of the head?

Which artery is the major supply to internal structures of the head?

• A. Internal carotid
• B. Vertebral
• C. Maxillary
• D. External carotid

Answer: (C)

The key idea is how the brain and other intracranial structures receive blood. Intracranial tissues are supplied mainly by the internal carotid arteries and the vertebral arteries. The internal carotids enter the skull and feed the anterior circulation (through branches like the anterior and middle cerebral arteries and the posterior communicating arteries), while the vertebral arteries ascend to form the basilar artery and supply the posterior circulation (brainstem, cerebellum, occipital regions). The maxillary artery is a branch of the external carotid and supplies deep face structures, nasal cavity, palate, teeth, and similar extracranial regions, not the brain. Therefore, the major source to internal head structures is the internal carotid arteries (with contribution from the vertebral arteries for posterior circulation).

The key idea is how the brain and other intracranial structures receive blood. Intracranial tissues are supplied mainly by the internal carotid arteries and the vertebral arteries. The internal carotids enter the skull and feed the anterior circulation (through branches like the anterior and middle cerebral arteries and the posterior communicating arteries), while the vertebral arteries ascend to form the basilar artery and supply the posterior circulation (brainstem, cerebellum, occipital regions). The maxillary artery is a branch of the external carotid and supplies deep face structures, nasal cavity, palate, teeth, and similar extracranial regions, not the brain. Therefore, the major source to internal head structures is the internal carotid arteries (with contribution from the vertebral arteries for posterior circulation).