Questions and Answers
What is the origin of the superficial temporal artery?
Which of the following arteries supply the scalp in front of the auricle?
What is the name of the vein that forms when the supratrochlear and supraorbital veins unite?
Which vein ultimately drains into the subclavian vein?
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What is the function of the emissary veins?
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Which emissary vein passes through the mastoid foramen?
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What is the origin of the supratrochlear and supraorbital arteries?
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Which veins accompany the arteries and have similar names?
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What is the function of diploic veins?
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How many diploic veins are present on each side of the skull?
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Where does the frontal diploic vein emerge?
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What is the characteristic of wounds of the scalp?
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Why do wounds of the scalp bleed profusely?
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What is the common site for sebaceous cysts in the scalp?
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Why do subcutaneous hemorrhages in the scalp cause little swelling?
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How can bleeding from wounds of the scalp be arrested?
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Study Notes
Arterial Supply of Scalp
- The scalp is supplied from front to back by three arteries: supratrochlear, supraorbital, and superficial temporal arteries.
- The supratrochlear and supraorbital arteries are branches of the ophthalmic artery, which is a branch of the internal carotid artery.
- The superficial temporal artery is a branch of the external carotid artery.
- Behind the auricle, the scalp is supplied from front to back by the posterior auricular and occipital (tortuous) arteries, both of which are branches of the external carotid artery.
- The scalp has a rich blood supply derived from both the internal and external carotid arteries, with the two systems anastomosing over the temple.
Venous Drainage
- The veins of the scalp accompany the arteries and have similar names.
- The supratrochlear and supraorbital veins unite at the medial angle of the eye to form the angular vein, which continues down as the facial vein.
- The superficial temporal vein descends in front of the tragus, enters the parotid gland, and joins the maxillary vein to form the retromandibular vein.
- The retromandibular vein divides into two divisions: anterior and posterior.
- The anterior division of the retromandibular vein unites with the facial vein to form the common facial vein, which drains into the internal jugular vein.
- The posterior division of the retromandibular vein unites with the posterior auricular vein to form the external jugular vein, which ultimately drains into the subclavian vein.
- The occipital veins terminate in the suboccipital venous plexus.
- Emissary veins connect the extracranial veins with the intracranial venous sinuses to equalize the pressure and are valveless.
- Examples of emissary veins include the parietal emissary vein, mastoid emissary vein, and others (see Table 1.1).
Diploic Veins
- Diploic veins start from the cancellous bone within the two tables of the skull.
- These veins carry newly formed blood cells into the general circulation.
- There are four diploic veins on each side: frontal, anterior temporal, posterior temporal, and occipital.
- Each diploic vein has a specific drainage pathway (see Fig. 1.17a and Table 1.2).
Lymphatic Drainage
- The anterior part of the scalp drains into the preauricular or parotid lymph nodes, situated on the surface of the parotid gland.
- The posterior part of the scalp drains into the posterior auricular or mastoid and occipital lymph nodes.
Nerve Supply
- The scalp and temple are supplied by 10 nerves on each side.
- Five nerves (four sensory and one motor) enter the scalp in front of the auricle.
- The remaining five nerves (again four sensory and one motor) enter the scalp behind the auricle.
Clinical Importance
- Wounds of the scalp gape when the epicranial aponeurosis is divided transversely.
- The scalp is a common site for sebaceous cysts due to the abundance of sebaceous glands.
- Wounds of the scalp bleed profusely because the vessels are prevented from retracting by the fibrous fascia.
- Bleeding can be arrested by applying pressure at the site of injury by a tight cotton bandage against the bone.
- Subcutaneous hemorrhages are never extensive due to the density of fascia, but cause much pain.
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Description
This quiz assesses knowledge on the arterial supply of the scalp and superficial temporal region, including the origins and branches of related arteries. It covers the main arteries supplying the scalp, including the supratrochlear, supraorbital, and superficial temporal arteries.