The larger one of two terminal branches of the external carotid. The other being the superficial temporal artery
Supplies the deep structures of the face i.e ear, tympanum, nasal cavity, teeth and palate.
Gives rise to the middle meningeal artery which branches off the maxillary artery in the infratemporal fossa. The middle meningeal artery then traverses the foramen spinosum to supply the dura mater.
