Which artery supplies the greater part of the brain coverings, known as meninges?

• A. Middle cerebral artery
• B. External carotid artery
• C. Internal carotid artery
• D. Basilar artery

Answer: (B)

The external carotid artery is primarily responsible for supplying blood to the greater part of the brain coverings, or meninges. This artery branches into several key vessels, including the maxillary artery and the superficial temporal artery, which further branches to supply various structures within the head and neck, as well as the dura mater, which is the tough outer layer of the meninges.

Understanding the vascular supply to the meninges is essential in both clinical and anatomical contexts, as it plays a crucial role in various medical conditions, including meningitis and meningeal hemorrhages. In contrast, while the middle cerebral artery, internal carotid artery, and basilar artery supply critical regions of the brain and may contribute to the meninges through smaller branches, they do not provide the primary arterial supply to the meninges as a whole.