Descending Palatine Artery: Structure, Function & Diseases

The descending palatine artery (descending palatal artery) is a thin extension of the maxillary artery (maxillary artery). This artery, on the other hand, opens into the external carotid artery (external carotid artery), which is directly connected to the oral cavity. The external carotid artery branches off from the common carotid artery (carotid artery) and the brain, thus supplying blood to the head.

What is the descending palatine artery?

Arterial vessels are known as generally vital segments of the human organism, which are made for sufficient nutrition by oxygen. Under the name of the descending palatine artery, physicians call a section of our circulatory system that supports the property of the masticatory organ. The above artery is naturally there in us humans and does not come about as a result of abnormalities of our tissues.

Anatomy and structure

Especially since the descending palatine artery is not an independent system, but can exist only through a connection with the palate, in the course of delineating its anatomical characteristic, reference is made to its source arteries. The descending palatine artery is located near the tongue, which supports the masseter muscles. The structure of an artery consists of three cellular assemblies. One layer is composed of endothelium, a specific type of flat cell, and connective tissue. The other cell layer is just connective tissue. In the middle lies a second layer of muscle. The consistency of the vessel wall ensures the pliability of each artery. The maxillary artery, which is connected to the descending palatine artery, runs transversely through the palate, linking it to the external caritis artery, which also opens into the common carotid artery.

Function and Tasks

The descending palatine artery promotes food intake such as the functionality of the cheekbone, which is located by the masseter muscles. Thus, the descending palatine artery helps the digestive tract. Accordingly, the taste buds come into play, being connected to the jaw. The jaw, in turn, is a part of the skull that protects the brain from injury. Hereby, the descending palatine artery is one of the blood vessels that nourish the organ systems in the supply of blood with oxygen and in this respect maintain their function. Due to the heart action, the lifeblood moves to the tissues using the arteries. Thanks to the arteries, neighboring organs are connected with the surrounding muscles and nerves. In addition, they are oxygenated together. Arteries carry the blood fluid away from the heart and thus ensure the functionality of the circulatory system. Because the descending artery also leads into the aorta, the descending artery additionally supports blood flow to the heart. In terms of resistance, all arteries are generally significant because the antibodies that render coming pathogens harmless are passed through the bloodstream. Dangerous substances that enter organism through breath as well as via while eating are passed from the particular organ to the liver. Also the useful substances of the food as well as medicines are transported through the arteries to the body cells. A well-functioning arterial blood pressure causes the optimum performance in blood flow. In this function, any arteries, their branches and therefore the descending palatine artery, are involved.

Diseases

Also, for this purpose, it is necessary to explain all health problems that are generally caused by damage to an artery, since the characteristic of the descending palatine artery is not different from the function of the other arteries. That is why the descending palatine artery is also subject to the risk of

is also at risk of narrowing with age. Sometimes blood clots can form there. If the descending palatine artery is affected, the maxillary artery may also be damaged. If clots are not removed, they can cause a stroke. Depending on the severity of the damage to the surrounding nerves, a stroke can lead to anything from tolerable sensations to numbness in the muscles of the entire body or to other whole-body impairments, and can even cause death. Psychiatric disorders such as depression or dementia, among others, can occur as concomitant symptoms. Blood flow can also introduce mutated cells into other organs.The same risks apply to the descending palatine artery as to all arteries, for example, smoking, increased blood pressure, metabolic diseases and the aging process. These conditions can aggravate existing changes in the blood vessels. In the case of arterial calcification, injuries to the vessels can occur due to the brittleness of the arterial walls. Occasionally, remedies are the trigger for degenerative changes in the arteries. All things considered, changes in the major arteries, including the carotid artery, are recognized in imaging procedures. The healthy diet as well as the right amount of exercise can avert arterial damage. Other ways, regarding a possible recovery or an improvement of the health condition are essential for a sufficient protection of the arteries. From time to time, antihypertensive drugs and preparations against elevated blood lipids are necessary to avoid worse damage in the arteries. Once damage has occurred, it cannot be reversed. In severe cases, a stent is implanted in large arteries. The progression of aging and a person’s remaining life expectancy are equally dependent on the health of the arteries.