mental artery

mental artery

n.

An artery that is the terminal branch of the inferior alveolar artery, with distribution to the chin.

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artery,

n a blood vessel through which the blood passes away from the heart to the various structures. There are three layers: the inner coat (tunica intima), composed of an inner endothelial lining, connective tissue, and an outer layer of elastic tissue (inner elastic membrane); the middle coat (tunica media), composed mainly of muscle tissue; and the outer coat (tunica adventitia), composed mainly of connective tissue. The structure of the three layers varies with the location, size, and purpose of the blood vessel.

artery arthograms,

n.pl radiographs of a joint usually with the introduction of a contrast compound into the joint capsule. In dentistry, an arthogram usually involves the temporomandibular joint.

artery, large,

n an elastic artery with an abundant supply of elastic tissue and a great reduction of smooth muscle. The tunica intima is thick, and the endothelial cells are round or polygonal. The tunica media is the thickest of the three layers. It contains few smooth muscle fibers, and its outer border has a special concentration of elastic fibers–the external elastic membrane. The tunica adventitia is relatively thin and ill defined and is continuous with the loose connective tissue surrounding the vessel.

artery, lingual,

n the artery that branches off the external carotid artery and carries blood to the tissues superior to the hyoid bone, the tongue, and the inferior part of the oral cavity.

artery, medium-sized,

n most of the arteries in the body (e.g., facial, maxillary, radial, ulnar, and popliteal). Thick muscular bands are found in the tunica media. Thin elastic fibers course circularly in the tunica media and run longitudinally in the tunica adventitia. The tunica adventitia is as thick as the tunica media, and its outer layer gradually blends with the connective tissue that supports the artery and surrounding structures.

artery, mental,

n the mental branch of the inferior alveolar artery, running from the mandibular canal to the apical foramen of the teeth.

artery, posterior superior alveolar,

n the artery that originates from the maxillary artery; its branches supply the maxillary molars.