Cavernous branches of the internal carotid artery: anatomy and nomenclature

In most standard anatomical textbooks, the cavernous branches of the internal carotid artery (ICA) are rarely or shortly described. Among three reports dealing with these branches, there is a lack of agreement in description and nomenclature. This study presents a systematic nomenclature based on the result of anatomical dissection in the cavernous sinus (CS) of 32 human subjects. The ophthalmic artery was found arising inside the CS in 5 subjects (15.6%). The posterior trunk (meningohypophyseal trunk of Parkinson) was present in all subjects (100%), but its distribution varied considerably. In 9 subjects, one or two of its primary divisions originated directly from the ICA. The lateral trunk was found in 21 subjects (65.8%), and the capsular arteries of McConnell of the median group were found in 9 (28.1%). Other branches to the surrounding structures (trigeminal ganglion and divisions, superior wall of the CS, the 3rd, 4th, and 6th cranial nerves, and osseous branches) were inconstant. Anastomotic branches to the ophthalmic, middle meningeal, and ascending pharyngeal arteries were also noted. A systematic nomenclature is proposed, in which the branches of the ICA are named according to their topographical origins from the artery and their primary or secondary divisions are named according to their destinations.