Figure 5. Schematic representation of endosteal vascular supply to mandibular ramus and condyle according to Olivetto et al. (62). Figures are slightly modified. A. The lateral aspect to the mandible is shown. The transverse facial artery is providing a direct nutrient branch reaching an accessory foramen on the lateral condylar aspect. According to these authors, this finding can be expected in about 8% of cases. B. The oral aspect of the mandible is shown. The maxillary artery provides a direct nutrient branch to the condyle by an accessory foramen (Lower asterix). This finding can be expected in about 6% of cases. A bunch of vessels enters the condyle from anterior through a foramen of the fovea. These terminal vessels come from the maxillary artery after dividing into branches to the lateral pterygoid muscle. This vascular supply to the condyle is extremely constant and can be expected in about 91% of cases (Upper asterix). Only in very rare cases an artery of the ramus running intramedullary in cranial direction along the inferior alveolar artery reaches the condyle (Cross sign). For further details on condylar vascular anatomy, see the publication of Olivetto et al. (62).