Caroticotympanic arteries

The caroticotympanic arteries (tympanic branch) are small branches of the petrous portion of the internal carotid artery. They enter the tympanic cavity through a minute foramen in the carotid canal, and anastomose with the anterior tympanic branch of the internal maxillary, and with the posterior tympanic branch of the stylomastoid artery.[1]

Some controversy exists as to whether the caroticotympanic arteries are a normal portion of the internal carotid artery or should instead be classified as anatomical variations, as the lack of these arteries is more common than their presence.[2] However, its relevance to internal carotid artery pathologies provides support for its continued classification as a non-variation anatomical feature.[3][4] Additionally, the origin of the caroticotympanic artery as a vestige of the embryonic hyoid artery provides a developmental reason for its continued classification as a canonical branch.[5][6]