Anatomy & Histology · single question
What blood vessel provides the primary vascular supply to the retrodiscal tissue of the temporomandibular joint (TMJ)?
Show answer and explanation
Correct answer: B. Superficial temporal artery
- A. INCORRECT — The facial artery supplies the face and lip regions but is not the primary supply to the TMJ retrodiscal tissue.
- B. CORRECT — The SUPERFICIAL TEMPORAL ARTERY provides the primary blood supply to the retrodiscal tissue (bilaminar zone) of the TMJ. Branches of the superficial temporal artery supply the posterior portions of the joint.
- C. INCORRECT — The MAXILLARY artery provides branches (anterior tympanic and deep auricular arteries) that supply the TMJ articular disc and anterior capsule, but NOT primarily the retrodiscal tissue.
- D. INCORRECT — The middle meningeal artery is a branch of the maxillary artery that supplies the dura mater, not the TMJ retrodiscal tissue.
Practice Anatomy & Histology questions Anatomy & Histology study notes