The Loop‐Type Maxillary Artery and Its Relationship with the Lateral Pterygoid Muscle

Objectives: Determine the relationship between a loop‐type configuration of the third portion of maxillary artery and its position according to the inferior belly of the lateral pterygoid muscle. Methods: A descriptive transversal study in preserved cadaver head specimens, conducted between August and December of 2013, on a total of 23 hemi‐heads of Latin American origin, in which the second and third portions of the maxillary artery were dissected through an endoscopic transmaxillary approach to the pterygopalatine and infratemporal fossa. Results: A total of 23 maxillary arteries were dissected, of which 7 (30.4%) were found to be superficial to the inferior belly of the lateral pterygoid muscle (LPMib) and 16 (69.6%) were found to lie deep. A total of 16 arteries (69.5%) were found on a loop‐type configuration, and 7 (30.5%) were found on an ascending configuration. The loop type was found deep to the LPMib in 13 (81.3%) of the cases and superficial in 3 (18.8%) of them. The results were analyzed with Fisher's exact test with a P value of. 091. Conclusions: This study shows a tendency in the Latin American population to have maxillary arteries deep to the LPMib in loop configuration, which emphasizes the need to stay close to the pterigomaxillary fissure during surgical dissection when aiming to find the main trunk of this vessel in its transition point between its second and third portions. Although the results are promising, the results need to be confirmed in a larger sample.