Correct Answer: C. Anterior ethmoidal artery
The anterior ethmoidal artery is the primary arterial source for the anterosuperior nasal septum and anterior nasal cavity. In cases of anterior epistaxis refractory to conservative management (nasal packing, chemical cautery), surgical ligation of the anterior ethmoidal artery is the gold-standard approach. The anterior ethmoidal artery arises from the ophthalmic artery (branch of the internal carotid), enters the nasal cavity through the anterior ethmoidal foramen, and supplies the anterior and superior portions of the nasal septum—the most common site of epistaxis (Kiesselbach's triangle). When anterior packing and cautery fail, this vessel must be ligated via an external ethmoidectomy approach or endoscopic visualization. The discriminating factor here is the anatomical distribution: anterior ethmoidal artery specifically supplies the anterosuperior septum where most recurrent bleeds originate, making it the definitive surgical target when conservative measures fail. This is distinct from posterior epistaxis (which requires sphenopalatine or internal maxillary ligation) and differs from facial artery ligation, which addresses external facial bleeding rather than intranasal sources.
Why the other options are wrong
A. Facial artery — The facial artery supplies external facial structures and is used for control of external facial hemorrhage or bleeding from the lateral nasal wall. It does not supply the anterior nasal septum (Kiesselbach's triangle) and is not the primary target for anterior epistaxis. This option confuses external facial bleeding with intranasal septal bleeding. B. Sphenopalatine artery — The sphenopalatine artery is the primary source for posterior nasal cavity and posterior septum bleeding. It is the vessel of choice for posterior epistaxis refractory to packing. Since this patient has anterior septal bleeding (the classic site of recurrent epistaxis), sphenopalatine ligation is not indicated. NBE may trap students who know sphenopalatine ligation without distinguishing anterior from posterior epistaxis. D. Internal maxillary artery — The internal maxillary artery (terminal branch of external carotid) gives off the sphenopalatine artery and supplies the lateral nasal wall and posterior regions. While it is involved in posterior epistaxis control, it is not the primary target for anterior septal bleeding. This is a proximal vessel that would be ligated only if distal vessels (anterior ethmoidal) have failed or are inaccessible.
High-Yield Facts
- Anterior ethmoidal artery supplies Kiesselbach's triangle (anterosuperior nasal septum), the site of 90% of anterior epistaxis cases.
- Anterior epistaxis (90% of cases) originates from the anterosuperior septum and is managed by anterior ethmoidal artery ligation when conservative measures fail.
- Posterior epistaxis (10% of cases) requires sphenopalatine or internal maxillary artery ligation, not anterior ethmoidal.
- Anterior ethmoidal artery arises from the ophthalmic artery (internal carotid branch) and enters via the anterior ethmoidal foramen.
- Surgical approach for anterior ethmoidal ligation: external ethmoidectomy or endoscopic visualization under general anesthesia.
Mnemonics
ANTERIOR Epistaxis = ANTERIOR Ethmoidal Anterior nasal septum bleeding → Anterior ethmoidal artery ligation. Posterior cavity bleeding → Posterior vessels (sphenopalatine/internal maxillary). Use this to rapidly distinguish which artery to ligate based on bleeding site. Kiesselbach's = Anterior Ethmoidal Kiesselbach's triangle (anterosuperior septum) is supplied by anterior ethmoidal artery. When you see 'recurrent anterior epistaxis refractory to packing,' think anterior ethmoidal ligation.
NBE Trap
NBE pairs 'refractory epistaxis' with 'sphenopalatine artery' to trap students who know that sphenopalatine ligation is used for severe epistaxis but fail to distinguish anterior from posterior bleeding sites. The key discriminator is the location: anterior septum = anterior ethmoidal; posterior cavity = sphenopalatine.
Clinical Pearl
In Indian ENT practice, most recurrent epistaxis cases present with anterosuperior septal bleeding (Kiesselbach's triangle). After failed nasal packing and cautery, anterior ethmoidal artery ligation via external ethmoidectomy is the definitive surgical approach—avoiding the need for more proximal (and riskier) internal carotid manipulations. This is the standard DOC in Indian tertiary care centers.
_Reference: Bailey & Love Ch. 38 (Epistaxis); Robbins Ch. 16 (Vascular pathology); Harrison Ch. 468 (Epistaxis management)_