Persistent otic artery

The persistent otic artery is one of the persistent carotid-vertebrobasilar anastomoses, although there is considerable controversy in regards to its existence. It is said to arise from the internal carotid artery within the carotidcanal, emerges from the internal acoustic meatus, and joins the basilar artery inferiorly. Unlike the other three embryonic vessels (trigeminal, hypoglossal and the proatalantal intersegmental arteries), there is no evidence forthe existence of an otic artery in lower animals.