caroticotympanic arteries caroticotympanic arteries the caroticotympanic arteries (tympanic branch) are small branches of the petrous portion of the internal carotid artery. they enter the tympanic cavity through a minute foramen in the carotid canal, and anastomose with the anterior tympanic branch of the internal maxillary, and with the posterior tympanic branch of the stylomastoid artery. caroticotympanic arteriesdetailsprecursoraortic arch 2sourcepetrous portion of the internal carotid arterysuppliestympanic cavityidentifierslatinarteriae caroticotympanicae, ramus caroticotympanicusta98a12.2.06.005ta24464fma71691anatomical terminology some controversy exists as to whether the caroticotympanic arteries are a normal portion of the internal carotid artery or should instead be classified as anatomical variations, as the lack of these arteries is more common than their presence. however, its relevance to internal carotid artery pathologies provides support for its continued classification as a non-variation anatomical feature. additionally, the origin of the caroticotympanic artery as a vestige of the embryonic hyoid artery provides a developmental reason for its continued classification as a canonical branch.