Greater (descending) palatine artery

The greater (descending) palatine artery is a branch of the third part of the maxillary artery which passes through the greater palatine foramen to supply most of the hard palate.

Gross anatomy

After branching off from the third (pterygopalatine) part of the maxillary artery, the greater palatine artery exits the pterygopalatine fossa via the greater palatine canal and travels along the roof of the palate where it gives off lesser palatine branches. The artery reaches the end of the canal where is turns superiorly and traverses the incisive foramen where it anastamoses with branches of the sphenopalatine artery within the nasal cavity.