The vidian artery: normal and pathologic anatomy.

Arising as a branch of either the distal maxillary artery or the petrous portion of the internal carotid artery, the vidian artery (artery of the pterygoid canal) participates in two complex vascular networks through its anastomoses in the pterygopalatine fossa and oropharyngeal mucosa. The vidian artery may become a major source of blood supply to a variety of deep facial and paracavernous lesions. The embryology, anatomy, and pathology of this vessel are described and implications of its anastomotic patterns in therapeutic embolization procedures are discussed.