During tonsillectomy, brisk intraoperative haemorrhage from the tonsillar bed is most likely to arise from the main arterial supply of the palatine tonsil. This vessel is:

• A Ascending palatine branch of the facial artery
• B Tonsillar branch of the facial artery ✓
• C Dorsal lingual branch of the lingual artery
• D Descending palatine branch of the maxillary artery

Explanation

The chief arterial supply of the palatine tonsil is the tonsillar branch of the facial artery, which enters the lower pole of the tonsil and is the vessel most commonly responsible for primary post-tonsillectomy haemorrhage. The ascending palatine and dorsal lingual branches are additional contributors but are minor. The descending palatine artery supplies the palate and nasal septum, not the tonsil.

Reference: Diseases of Ear, Nose and Throat (Dhingra), 7th ed.

High-yield for: NEET PGINI-CETNExTFMGEUSMLEPLABMRCP

Written and medically reviewed by the StethoPrep medical team.