A Cadaveric Investigation of Human Middle Meningeal Artery Variations and their Clinical Significance

Introduction: The middle meningeal artery (MMA) is a critical blood vessel supplying the dura mater of the skull. While traditionally described with a consistent origin, recent studies suggest anatomical variations exist. This study aimed to investigate these variations in human cadavers and assess their clinical significance. Materials and Methods: A series of 46 human cadaver heads were dissected. The MMA course, origin (maxillary artery or other sources), and branching patterns were documented. The data were statistically analyzed to determine the prevalence of each variation. Clinical implications of the variations, particularly for neurosurgical procedures and interpretation of neuroimaging, were explored. Results: The study identified a spectrum of MMA variations. The most common origin was the maxillary artery 50%, but variations including accessory branches and origins from the accessory meningeal artery 27% or ascending pharyngeal artery 13% were observed. The course and branching patterns also displayed variability, with 10%. These findings were statistically analyzed to determine the significance of each variation. The clinical significance of the variations was discussed, highlighting potential challenges during surgical procedures such as skull base surgeries and the need for careful preoperative imaging evaluation. Conclusion: This cadaveric study revealed a significant degree of variation in the human MMA anatomy. Understanding these variations is crucial for neurosurgeons, radiologists, and other health-care professionals to ensure safe and accurate surgical planning and interpretation of neuroimaging studies.