Blood Supply of the Trigeminal Ganglion of the Crab-eating Monkey (Macaca fascicularis)

Abstract

The arterial distribution of the trigeminal ganglion was investigated in the crabeating monkey by means of the acryl plastic injection method, and the basic and topographical anatomy of the ganglion was also assessed.
1. The ganglion was located mostly in the remarkable impressio trigemini on the anterior surface of the petrosal part of the temporal bone, and the remaining small part of the ganglion extended anteriorly along the superolateral side of the internal carotid artery, with its anterior end reaching up to a position lateral to the posterior clinoid process.
2. Ganglionic branches were derived from the following arterial sources: the marginal tentorial branch, the anterior petrosal branch, the basal tentorial branch and the trigeminal nerve branch of the internal carotid artery; the pontine branch of the basilar artery; and the accessory meningeal branch of the maxillary artery.
3. Ganglionic branches from various vessels formed a network in the triangular plexus, although such a network was scarcely found in the trigeminal capsule and ganglion.
In conclusion, it can be said that the main supply route of the trigeminal ganglion in the crab-eating monkey was the intracranial arterial source, in assistance with the extracranial.