Inferior hypophysial artery
Artery supplying the posterior pituitary
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
The inferior hypophysial artery is an artery in the head. It is a branch of the cavernous carotid artery, itself from the internal carotid artery. It supplies the posterior pituitary of the pituitary gland.
| Inferior hypophyseal artery | |
|---|---|
| Details | |
| Source | Cavernous carotid artery from internal carotid artery |
| Supplies | Posterior pituitary of pituitary gland |
| Identifiers | |
| Latin | arteria hypophysialis inferior |
| TA98 | A12.2.06.012 |
| TA2 | 4467 |
| FMA | 49846 |
| Anatomical terminology | |
Structure
The inferior hypophysial artery is a branch of the cavernous carotid artery, itself from the internal carotid artery.[1][2] Alternatively, it may arise from the meningohypophyseal artery.[3] It passes across the middle of the cavernous sinus. It reaches the lateral surface of the posterior pituitary.[3] It merges with the other inferior hypophysial artery.[3]
The inferior hypophysial artery may give off the medial clival artery.[3]
Function
The inferior hypophysial artery supplies the pituitary gland,[4] specifically the posterior pituitary (neurohypophysis).[5] It is important for distributing vasopressin into the bloodstream.[6]
History
The inferior hypophysial artery was first identified in 1860 by Hubert von Luschka.[3]