Question

Which artery does NOT take part in the formation of rete mirabile cerebri?

• A. Internal maxillary artery
• B. External maxillary artery
• C. Vertebral artery
• D. Condyloid artery

Hint:

Remember that the internal maxillary artery goes deep to supply the brain and nasal cavity, whereas the external maxillary (facial) artery remains superficial to supply the face.

Answer 1

The Correct Option is B

Step 1: Understanding the Concept:
The rete mirabile cerebri (epidural rostral rete mirabile) is a specialized network of fine, anastomosing arterial vessels located at the base of the brain in many domestic mammals, particularly ruminants and cats.
It serves to cool the blood entering the brain and buffer arterial pressure fluctuations.

Step 2: Detailed Explanation:
The blood supply to the rostral epidural rete mirabile comes from branches of several major arteries in the head:
- The internal maxillary artery (often referred to simply as the maxillary artery) provides the main input via its branches (the rami ad reteam).
- The condyloid artery (a branch of the occipital artery) and branches of the vertebral artery also contribute significantly to this intracranial network.
- The external maxillary artery (which continues as the facial artery) supplies superficial structures of the face, such as the lips, nose, and masseter region, and does not enter the cranial cavity to participate in the formation of the cerebral rete mirabile.
Therefore, the external maxillary artery does not take part in its formation.

Step 3: Final Answer
The correct option is (B).