Ninja Nerd - Circulatory System | Arteries and Veins of the Head & Neck

Study Notes

The left common carotid artery arises from the aortic arch and divides into the external carotid artery and internal carotid artery.
The external carotid artery branches into:
- Superior thyroid artery
- Lingual artery
- Facial artery
- Maxillary artery
- Occipital artery
- Superficial temporal artery
The maxillary artery branches off from the external carotid artery and supplies the region around the mandibular condyle.
The superficial temporal artery is a branch of the external carotid artery and supplies the temporal region.
The occipital artery is a branch of the external carotid artery and supplies the occipital region.

The superior sagittal sinus is a dural sinus that runs within the falx cerebri and drains blood from the brain.
The occipital sinus is a dural sinus that drains blood from the occipital region.
The transverse sinus is a dural sinus that drains blood from the brain.
The superior petrosal sinus and inferior petrosal sinus are dural sinuses that drain blood from the petrous portion of the temporal bone.
The sigmoid sinus is a dural sinus that drains blood from the brain and empties into the internal jugular vein.
The internal jugular vein combines with the subclavian vein to form the brachiocephalic vein.

The external jugular vein drains blood from the face and back of the head and empties into the subclavian vein.
The subclavian vein combines with the internal jugular vein to form the brachiocephalic vein.
The brachiocephalic vein merges with the superior vena cava, which empties into the right atrium of the heart.

Left common carotid artery arises from the aortic arch and bifurcates into external carotid artery and internal carotid artery.
External carotid artery branches include:
- Superior thyroid artery
- Lingual artery
- Facial artery
- Maxillary artery
- Occipital artery
- Superficial temporal artery
Maxillary artery supplies the region around the mandibular condyle.
Superficial temporal artery supplies the temporal region.
Occipital artery supplies the occipital region.

Superior sagittal sinus: a dural sinus within the falx cerebri, draining blood from the brain.
Occipital sinus: a dural sinus draining blood from the occipital region.
Transverse sinus: a dural sinus draining blood from the brain.
Superior petrosal sinus and inferior petrosal sinus: dural sinuses draining blood from the petrous portion of the temporal bone.
Sigmoid sinus: a dural sinus draining blood from the brain and emptying into the internal jugular vein.

External jugular vein: drains blood from the face and back of the head, emptying into the subclavian vein.
Subclavian vein combines with the internal jugular vein to form the brachiocephalic vein.
Brachiocephalic vein merges with the superior vena cava, which empties into the right atrium of the heart.