Pulp Blood Supply — MFDS Part 1 MCQ

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EasyAnatomy (Head & Neck)Pulp Blood SupplyMFDS Part 1

Which artery is the principal source of blood supply to the dental pulp of a mandibular molar?

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Correct answer: A — Inferior alveolar artery

The inferior alveolar artery is the principal arterial supply to mandibular teeth. Its dental branches pass from the mandibular canal towards individual teeth, and pulpal arterioles enter predominantly through the apical foramina before branching within the root and coronal pulp. The facial and lingual arteries contribute to surrounding oral soft tissues and may participate in collateral mandibular circulation, but they are not the principal pulpal supply of a mandibular molar. The greater palatine and sphenopalatine arteries are associated with palatal and maxillary vascular pathways rather than the principal supply to mandibular dental pulp.

Reference: Nguyen JD, Duong H. Anatomy, Head and Neck: Inferior Alveolar Arteries. StatPearls, 2026 edition. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/31613516/