Which statement about external nose arterial supply is true?

Which statement about external nose arterial supply is true?

• A. The external nose receives arterial supply only from the facial artery
• B. The external nose receives arterial supply only from the infraorbital artery
• C. The external nose receives arterial supply from both facial arteries and the infraorbital branch of the internal maxillary artery
• D. The dorsal nasal artery originates directly from the internal carotid

Answer: (C)

The external nose is supplied by two arterial systems that together cover its entire surface: branches from the facial artery and branches from the infraorbital artery, a branch of the maxillary artery. The facial artery provides nasal blood supply mainly through the angular and lateral nasal branches, while the infraorbital artery contributes from below and along the nose, including its lower and lateral aspects. This dual supply helps ensure robust perfusion across all regions of the nose. The statement that captures this combined supply is that the external nose receives arterial input from both facial arteries and the infraorbital branch of the maxillary artery. Dorsal nasal arteries do originate from the ophthalmic artery (coming off the internal carotid system), but they are not the sole contributors and, in any case, the dorsal nasal source is not described as a direct internal carotid origin in common anatomy terms. Thus, the best understanding is the nose receives coverage from the facial and infraorbital (maxillary) arterial sources.

The external nose is supplied by two arterial systems that together cover its entire surface: branches from the facial artery and branches from the infraorbital artery, a branch of the maxillary artery. The facial artery provides nasal blood supply mainly through the angular and lateral nasal branches, while the infraorbital artery contributes from below and along the nose, including its lower and lateral aspects. This dual supply helps ensure robust perfusion across all regions of the nose.

The statement that captures this combined supply is that the external nose receives arterial input from both facial arteries and the infraorbital branch of the maxillary artery. Dorsal nasal arteries do originate from the ophthalmic artery (coming off the internal carotid system), but they are not the sole contributors and, in any case, the dorsal nasal source is not described as a direct internal carotid origin in common anatomy terms. Thus, the best understanding is the nose receives coverage from the facial and infraorbital (maxillary) arterial sources.