Question

Patient: 68-year-old man

Chief complaint: ""My gums are bleeding.
Background/or patient history: Experiencing chronic homelessness for the past 10 years
Severe alcohol use disorder
Current Findings: Partially edentulous, Gingiva is red, swollen, and bleeds on probing, Petechiae and larger bruises noticed on forearms, and Blood tests reveal low levels of vitamin C

The bleeding the patient is experiencing may come from which arteries? (Select all correct choices)
a. Inferior alveolar artery
b. Maxillary artery
c. Greater palatine artery
d. Anterior superior alveolar artery
e. Posterior superior alveolar artery"

Answer 1

The bleeding from the patient's gums may come from the inferior alveolar artery, maxillary artery, greater palatine artery, anterior superior alveolar artery, or posterior superior alveolar artery.

Step-by-step explanation:

The bleeding that the patient is experiencing may come from the following arteries:

• Inferior alveolar artery: This artery supplies blood to the mandible (lower jaw) and its surrounding tissues, including the gums.
• Maxillary artery: This artery supplies blood to the maxilla (upper jaw) and its surrounding tissues, including the gums.
• Greater palatine artery: This artery supplies blood to the hard palate and its surrounding tissues, including the gums.
• Anterior superior alveolar artery: This artery supplies blood to the maxillary central and lateral incisors, canines, and premolars.
• Posterior superior alveolar artery: This artery supplies blood to the maxillary molar teeth and surrounding tissues.