[en] The optimal conditions for the magnetic resonance angiography (MRA) imaging of the maxillary artery were examined without the contrast medium. Imaging was done with 1.5 T Signa Horizon MR scanner (GE) with QD coil for the head and neck, and data were processed on line by Advantage Workstation (GE). Parameters examined were the flip angle (FA) and repetition time (TR). Subjects were healthy normal volunteers whose number and imaging conditions were, respectively, 20 and 2D TOF method with TR=17 ms/FA=15 deg -90 deg, 20 and 3D TOF with FA=20 deg/TR=20-60 ms, 5 and 2D PC with varied FA/TR, and 20 and 3D PC with TR=30 ms/FA=5 deg -45 deg. Images were assessed by S/N (signal/noise) ratio objectively and by subjective visual scoring and compared with each other for those methods above. It was found that for the non-invasive method, MRA imaging of the maxillary artery can be optimally conducted by 2D TOF method at FA=75 deg, which can be a standard method of pre-operative diagnosis in oral surgery. (K.H.)