Which artery primarily supplies the mastoid (third) segment of the intratemporal facial nerve?
- A Stylomastoid artery, a branch of the posterior auricular artery ✓
- B Petrosal branch of the middle meningeal artery
- C Anterior inferior cerebellar artery
- D Ascending pharyngeal artery
Correct answer: A. Stylomastoid artery, a branch of the posterior auricular artery
Explanation
The stylomastoid artery, arising from the posterior auricular or occipital artery, enters the stylomastoid foramen alongside the nerve and supplies the mastoid segment. The labyrinthine and upper tympanic segments are supplied by the petrosal branch of the middle meningeal artery, which is why option B describes supply to the wrong segments. The anterior inferior cerebellar artery supplies the cisternal portion near the cerebellopontine angle, not the intratemporal mastoid segment.
Reference: Gray's Anatomy, 42nd ed.
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Written and medically reviewed by the StethoPrep medical team.