During tonsillectomy, brisk haemorrhage from the tonsillar bed is controlled by identifying the arterial supply. The PRINCIPAL artery supplying the palatine tonsil is:
- A Ascending pharyngeal artery
- B Dorsal lingual artery
- C Tonsillar branch of the facial artery ✓
- D Descending palatine artery
Correct answer: C. Tonsillar branch of the facial artery
Explanation
The tonsillar branch of the facial artery is the main and largest supply, entering the lower pole of the tonsil. Additional smaller contributions come from the ascending palatine branch of the facial artery, ascending pharyngeal artery, dorsal lingual branches, and the descending palatine artery. The ascending pharyngeal and dorsal lingual arteries are real contributors but are minor, which makes them the tempting distractors here.
Reference: Gray's Anatomy for Students, 4th ed.
High-yield for: NEET PGINI-CETNExTFMGEUSMLEPLABMRCP
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