Descending palatine artery

Looks like

A maxillary branch running straight down through a bony canal behind the upper jaw to the palate.

What it does

Divides into the greater and lesser palatine arteries that feed the hard and soft palate.

Keeping it well

At risk when the upper jaw is surgically cut and moved (Le Fort osteotomy); injury causes heavy bleeding.

Its parts

• Greater palatine artery

Related conditions

• Carotid artery stenosis
• High blood pressure
• High cholesterol
• Hypothermia & frostbite
• Kawasaki disease
• Metabolic syndrome
• Orthostatic hypotension & POTS
• Peripheral artery disease
• Phaeochromocytoma & hyperaldosteronism
• Pre-eclampsia
• Raynaud's phenomenon
• Sepsis
• Shock (circulatory failure)
• Takayasu arteritis
• Vasculitis (GCA & others)