Tonsillar artery
The tonsillar artery is a branch of the facial artery that represents the main source of arterial blood supply for the palatine tonsil.
The artery passes superior-ward between the medial pterygoid muscle and styloglossus muscle. Upon reaching the superior border of the styloglossus muscle, the tonsillar artery penetrates the superior pharyngeal constrictor muscle to enter the pharynx and reach the palatine tonsil. The artery then ramifies within the substance of the tonsil and musculature of the root of the tongue.