Greater palatine artery

Looks like

An artery emerging on the roof of the mouth near the back molars and running forward in a groove under the gum lining.

What it does

Supplies the hard palate, its gums and glands, and ends in the front of the nose.

Keeping it well

Must be avoided when taking gum grafts from the palate; cutting it bleeds briskly.

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)