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Questions and Answers
What is the first branch of the external carotid artery?
At what anatomical landmark does the carotid bifurcation occur?
Which of the following nerves is NOT associated with the external carotid artery?
Which muscle lies anteriorly to the external carotid artery?
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Which structure is posterosuperior to the external carotid artery?
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Which artery is NOT a branch of the external carotid artery?
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What structure is closely related to the external carotid artery posteroinferiorly?
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Which of the following arteries supplies the neck region and external structures of the head and face?
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Which artery arises from the external carotid artery within the parotid gland?
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What is one of the main arteries that branches from the first part of the maxillary artery?
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Which part of the maxillary artery is associated with the lateral pterygoid muscle?
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Which artery primarily supplies the parotid gland?
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Which artery does NOT branch from the third part of the maxillary artery?
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What does the maxillary artery primarily supply?
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At what location does the maxillary artery enter the pterygopalatine fossa?
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Which artery branches off the superficial temporal artery?
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What is the primary function of the superior thyroid artery and its branches?
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Which artery is known as the smallest branch of the external carotid artery?
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What mnemonic can be used to remember the branches of the superior thyroid artery?
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Which of the following structures does the posterior auricular artery primarily supply?
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At what anatomical location does the lingual artery arise?
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Which artery is responsible for supplying the soft palate and palatine tonsil?
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Which of the following arteries gives rise to the inferior tympanic artery?
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Which branch of the external carotid artery supplies the deep muscles of the neck?
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What structure provides arterial supply to the floor of the mouth?
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Which artery supplies the meninges and has unnamed branches for surrounding musculature?
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Which artery can occasionally arise from a common trunk with the lingual artery?
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Which artery provides blood supply to the auricular region?
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What does the deep lingual artery traverse near?
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What is an important branch of the occipital artery?
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Study Notes
External Carotid Artery Anatomy
External Carotid Artery Branches
- External carotid artery has eight branches
- superior thyroid artery
- ascending pharyngeal artery
- lingual artery
- facial artery
- occipital artery
- posterior auricular artery
- maxillary artery
- superficial temporal artery
Superior Thyroid Artery
- Arises from the external carotid artery at the level of the hyoid bone (C3)
- Descends along the lateral border of the thyrohyoid muscle towards the apex of the thyroid gland
- Branches:
- superior laryngeal artery
- arteries supplying the sternocleidomastoid, cricothyroid, and infrahyoid muscles
- anterior, posterior, and lateral glandular branches
- Supplies the sternocleidomastoid, cricothyroid, and infrahyoid strap muscles, the thyroid gland, and tissue of the upper part of the larynx
- Mnemonic for remembering branches: "I Shall Squeeze Charlie's Glutes" (Infrahyoid, Superior laryngeal, Sternocleidomastoid, Cricothyroid, and Glandular)
Ascending Pharyngeal Artery
- Arises from the medial surface of the external carotid artery, between the internal carotid artery and pharynx
- Branches
- posterior meningeal artery
- inferior tympanic artery
- pharyngeal branches
- several unnamed branches that supply surrounding musculature
- Supplies the pharynx, soft palate, ear, meninges, muscles of the neck, the sympathetic trunk, the hypoglossal, glossopharyngeal, and vagus nerves, and some cervical lymph nodes
Lingual Artery
- Arises from the anteromedial aspect of the external carotid artery at the level of the great cornu of the hyoid bone
- Arises between the superior thyroid and facial arteries
- Divided into three parts according to the hyoglossus muscle:
- First part: courses medially within the carotid triangle of the neck
- Second part: courses along the superior border of the hyoid bone and passes between the hyoglossus muscle and middle constrictor muscle of the pharynx
- Third part: known as the deep lingual artery, ascends between the genioglossus muscle and the inferior longitudinal muscle of the tongue
- Branches:
- dorsal lingual
- sublingual
- deep lingual
- branches which form a rich anastomosis that supplies the musculature of the tongue
- Supplies the tongue and floor of the mouth
Facial Artery
- Emerges from the external carotid artery just above the lingual artery within the carotid triangle
- May arise from a common trunk with the lingual artery
- Travels in an anterosuperior direction, deep to the digastric and stylohyoid muscles, curving around the inferior border of the mandible to enter the face
- Ascends along the angle of the mouth and passes deep to the zygomaticus major and risorius muscles
- Ascends along the lateral side of the nose before terminating at the medial angle of the orbit
- Branches:
- ascending palatine
- submental
- inferior and superior labial
- angular arteries
- tonsillar and glandular branches
- Supplies all facial structures from the inferior border of the mandible anterior to the masseter muscle to the medial corner of the eye
- Also supplies the soft palate, palatine tonsil, auditory tube, and submandibular gland
Occipital Artery
- Arises from the posterior aspect of the external carotid artery
- Courses posterior and superiorly, deep to the posterior belly of the digastric muscle
- Passes between the transverse process of the atlas (C1) and the mastoid process of the temporal bone
- Extends through the occipital groove of the temporal bone and is joined by the greater occipital nerve
- Pierces the investing layer of deep cervical fascia to ascend within the dense superficial fascia of the scalp
- Branches:
- upper and lower sternoclediomastoid branches
- auricular
- mastoid
- occipital
- meningeal
- descending branches
- Supplies the the sternocleidomastoid, trapezius, and deep muscles of the neck, as well as the meninges, pinna of the ear, and mastoid air cells
Posterior Auricular Artery
- Arises from the posterior aspect of the external carotid artery, above the posterior belly of digastric
- Ascends in the neck between the parotid gland and styloid process
- Travels in a groove which lies between the auricular cartilage and mastoid process of the temporal bone
- Branches:
- stylomastoid
- posterior tympanic arteries
- auricular
- occipital
- parotid branches
- Supplies the digastric, stylohyoid, and sternocleidomastoid muscles, and the parotid gland in the neck
- Supplies the extrinsic auricular muscles, the external acoustic meatus, the auricle, middle ear, facial nerve, and mastoid air cells within the head
Maxillary Artery
- Larger of the two terminal branches, arises from the external carotid artery within the parotid gland
- From the parotid gland, passes anteriorly between the neck of the mandible and the sphenomandibular ligament to enter the infratemporal fossa
- Extends between the pterygoid muscles to enter the pterygopalatine fossa via the pterygomaxillary fissure
- Divided into three parts according to its location:
- First part: located between the neck of the mandible and sphenomandibular ligament
- Second part: associated with the lateral pterygoid muscle
- Third part: lies within the pterygopalatine fossa
- Branches:
- First part: middle meningeal and inferior alveolar arteries, as well as smaller deep auricular, anterior tympanic, and accessory meningeal arteries
- Second part: deep temporal, masseteric, buccal, and pterygoid arteries
- Third part: posterior superior alveolar, infraorbital, pharyngeal, descending palatine, and sphenopalatine arteries, as well as the artery of the pterygoid canal
- Supplies many structures, including the upper and lower jaw, teeth, muscles of mastication, ears, nose, meninges, and palate
Superficial Temporal Artery
- Smaller terminal branch of the external carotid artery
- Arises within the substance of the parotid gland behind the neck of the mandible
- Ascends from the parotid gland superficially alongside the auriculotemporal nerve to the scalp
- Terminates by dividing into its terminal frontal and parietal branches
- Branches:
- transverse facial
- zygoaticoorbital
- middle temporal arteries
- parotid
- anterior auricular
- occipital
- frontal
- parietal branches
- Supplies the skin and muscles of the side of the face and scalp
- Supplies the parotid gland and temporomandibular joint
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Description
Explore the anatomy of the external carotid artery, one of the main divisions of the common carotid artery. This quiz covers its location, borders, and the various structures surrounding it, including nerves and vessels. Test your knowledge on this crucial artery and its anatomical relationships within the neck region.
