Head and Neck Arterial Blood Supply

• The arterial blood supply to head and neck will be discussed.
• The learning outcomes include naming major arteries, explaining their supply areas, and describing important relations and branches of the common and external carotid arteries.
• It is important to know the blood supply in the head and neck to avoid damaging vessels.
• Anatomy can be challenging; studying anatomy can be made easier by memorizing information, using mnemonics, and using available resources.

Starting With the Basics

• The main arterial blood supply to the head and neck originates from the arch of the aorta.
• The arch of the aorta gives rise to the brachiocephalic, left common carotid, and left subclavian arteries.
• The brachiocephalic artery gives rise to the right subclavian and right common carotid arteries.
• The right subclavian artery gives rise to the right vertebral artery.
• The right common carotid artery forms the internal and external carotid arteries.
• The arch of the aorta gives rise to the left subclavian and left common carotid arteries directly.
• The left subclavian artery gives rise to the left vertebral artery.
• The left common carotid artery gives rise to the internal and external carotid arteries, similar to the right side.
• The right and left vertebral arteries supply blood to the spinal cord and vertebral muscles.

More on the Arteries

• The common carotid arteries will be discussed.
• The left common carotid arises directly from the arch of the aorta.
• The right common carotid comes from the brachiocephalic artery.
• The right and left common carotid arteries supply both sides of the head and neck in a mirror image.
• The right and left common carotid arteries both split into the internal and external carotid arteries.
• The internal carotid artery goes deep within the face, through the carotid canal at the base of the skull behind the eyes, and into the cranial cavity.
• The internal carotid artery supplies the brain, eyes, forehead, and part of the nose.
• The external carotid artery remains more superficial.
• It branches to supply many superficial elements of the head and neck.
• The external carotid supplies the neck, face, scalp, tongue, and maxilla.
• The external carotid artery splits into 8 main branches: superior thyroid, ascending pharyngeal, lingual, facial, occipital, posterior auricular, superficial temporal, and maxillary arteries.
• These 8 branches supply various structures within the head.

Remembering the Branches

• An easy way to remember the branches of the external carotid artery is through a mnemonic.
• A sensible mnemonic option is: Superior Thyroid = She, Ascending Pharyngeal = Always, Lingual = Likes, Facial = Friends, Occipital = Over, Posterior Auricular = Papa, Superficial Temporal = Sister, Maxillary = Mama.

What They Supply

• The branches supply areas in the head and neck, some dentally relevant.
• The superior thyroid artery supplies the thyroid gland, some muscles of the neck, and the larynx.
• The ascending pharyngeal artery supplies the pharynx, soft palate, and prevertebral muscles.
• The lingual artery supplies important structures.

Lingual Artery and its Supplies

• The lingual artery splits into the sublingual, dorsal lingual, and deep lingual arteries.
• The dorsal lingual artery supplies the base of the tongue, palatoglossal arch, tonsils, soft palate, and epiglottis.
• The sublingual artery supplies the sublingual gland, muscles in the floor of the mouth, and buccal/gingival mucous membranes.
• The deep lingual artery is the terminal part of the lingual artery, supplying blood to the body of the tongue.
• The lingual artery is important as it supplies the tongue, sublingual gland, and buccal/gingival mucous membranes.

Facial Artery and Occipital Artery

• The facial artery branches to supply the muscles and skin of the face and the submandibular gland.
• The occipital artery supplies muscles in the posterior neck, skin of the neck and ear, and the scalp in the occipital region.

More Arteries

• The posterior auricular artery supplies muscles in the posterior neck and skin over and around the ear and ear structures.
• The superficial temporal artery supplies skin and muscles of the scalp, parotid gland, and temporomandibular joint, is one of the two terminal branches of the external carotid.
• The maxillary artery is a complex vessel that supplies important structures
• The maxillary artery supplies the whole maxillofacial region: the hard and soft tissues of the maxilla and mandible, the nasal cavity, and deep facial areas.

Supplying the Teeth

• Maxillary teeth are supplied by the maxillary artery.
• Branches from the maxillary artery include the superior alveolar artery, which splits into posterior, middle, and anterior branches to supply maxillary teeth depending on their position.
• Mandibular teeth are also supplied by the maxillary artery.
• Branches from the maxillary artery to the mandibular teeth include the inferior alveolar artery, which forms a dental branch, incisive branch, and the mental artery to supply the mandibular teeth depending on their position.

Summary

• The arterial supply to the head and neck is complicated.
• Be aware of the two main bilateral vessels, the internal and external carotid arteries.
• The external carotid gives rise to the blood supply of most of the mouth and face.
• Key branches are the lingual, facial, and maxillary arteries.
• Need to have an awareness of other branches.
• Find a mnemonic that works.

Caution

• Not everyone is the same.
• Vessels may not join the same in every case.
• Reading further may produce differing information.