What is the infraorbital artery a terminal branch of?

The infraorbital artery is indeed a terminal branch of the maxillary artery. Understanding the anatomy of these arteries helps clarify their roles and relationships in the vascular system of the head and neck. The maxillary artery, one of the major branches of the external carotid artery, supplies deep structures of the face, including the maxilla, teeth, and parts of the nasal cavity.

The infraorbital artery specifically branches from the maxillary artery after it passes through the pterygopalatine fossa, traveling along the floor of the orbit to supply regions of the face, including the lower eyelid, cheek, and upper lip. This connection underscores the importance of the maxillary artery as a key supplier of blood to the midfacial region.

While the facial artery and the ophthalmic artery are important vascular structures in the face and orbit respectively, they do not give rise to the infraorbital artery. The superficial temporal artery, a branch of the external carotid artery, is primarily involved in supplying the scalp rather than the regions supplied by the infraorbital artery. This distinction emphasizes the specific pathways and branches of these arterial systems.