Which blood vessel supplies the majority of the oxygenated blood to the oral cavity?

The carotid artery is the primary blood vessel responsible for supplying the majority of the oxygenated blood to the oral cavity. It branches into the internal and external carotid arteries, with the external carotid artery providing blood to various facial structures, including the oral cavity. The external carotid artery gives rise to several important branches that directly supply the mouth and surrounding tissues, ensuring adequate oxygen and nutrient delivery essential for oral health.

In contrast, other vessels such as the buccal artery, although they do contribute to the blood supply in some areas of the cheek and oral cavity, do not play as significant a role as the carotid artery. The facial artery also branches off the external carotid and contributes to the supply but is more focused on the superficial structures rather than the deeper areas of the oral cavity. The temporal artery, primarily responsible for supplying the scalp, does not directly supply the oral cavity at all. Thus, the carotid artery is the most critical vessel for the overall oxygenation of the oral cavity.