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Tonsillar arterial supply — FRCA Primary MCQ

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HardAnatomyTonsillar arterial supplyFRCA Primary

A child undergoing tonsillectomy has bleeding from the tonsillar bed. The surgeon asks about arterial supply. Which vessel is a major contributor to tonsillar blood supply?

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Correct answer: C — Superior thyroid artery

The tonsillar branch of the facial artery is a major arterial supply to the palatine tonsil. The internal carotid is nearby laterally but does not directly supply the tonsil in the usual pattern. The superior thyroid artery supplies laryngeal and thyroid structures more than tonsil. This anatomy is relevant because post-tonsillectomy bleeding can be brisk and airway-threatening.

Reference: RCoA Primary FRCA Syllabus 2026; Anatomy for Anaesthetists