Head & Neck Anatomy - Blood Supply

The external carotid artery branches supply specific head and neck tissues with blood.

The external carotid artery's route and locations of foramina (openings) are important for understanding blood flow.

Specific arteries supply blood to the teeth and tissues of the oral cavity.

The internal carotid artery branches supply specific parts of the brain and eyes.

The internal carotid artery has a specific location and route that's important to follow for blood in the head.

The venous system collects and returns blood from the head and neck to the heart.

Blood from teeth and the oral cavity goes through a set route to the heart using veins.

The vascular system is made of arteries, capillaries, and veins that move blood throughout the body—and lymphatic vessels.

A major artery in the head and neck, supplying blood to the area; it branches into internal and external carotid arteries.

A branch of the common carotid artery, supplying blood to the brain.

A branch of the common carotid artery, supplying blood to the structures outside the skull.

Deoxygenated blood enters the heart, goes to the lungs to get oxygen, and then travels through the body.

The major artery that carries oxygenated blood from the heart to the body.

A major artery in the right side of the body, supplying blood to the right side of the head and neck.

Major arteries that supply blood to the arms and shoulders. Part of the main blood supply in the head and neck region.

The major arteries in the head and neck, including the common carotid and subclavian arteries, distribute blood throughout the region.

This artery supplies the thyroid gland and infrahyoid muscles.

An anterior branch supplying the tongue, sublingual gland, and oral mucosa.

A major branch from the external carotid, supplying structures near the mouth, nose, and chin.

A branch of the facial artery supplying the submandibular lymph nodes, mylohyoid muscle, and submandibular salivary gland.

Supplies the mylohyoid muscle, sublingual salivary gland, and floor of the mouth.

The external carotid artery is crucial for supplying blood to the oral cavity and surrounding structures in the head and neck.

These are categories used to categorize the blood vessel branches according to their position relative to the main external carotid artery.

This artery supplies blood to the lower lip area, including the muscles of facial expression, such as the oris muscle.

This artery supplies blood to the upper lip area.

The terminal branch of the facial artery, it supplies blood to the lateral side of the naris ( nostril) of the nose.

One of the two posterior branches of the external carotid artery. This artery supplies the back of the head.

One of the two posterior branches of the external carotid artery. This artery supplies the area around the ear.

The superficial temporal artery is visible under the skin covering the temporal region (sides of the head). It has several branches, including the transverse facial artery, middle temporal artery, frontal branch, and parietal branch.

The largest terminal branch of the external carotid artery supplying many branches that supply the structures of the face. It originates inferior to the temporomandibular joint (TMJ).

This major vein drains blood from the brain, head, and most neck structures.

Drains blood from the chin and submandibular region.

Collect blood from the upper surface (dorsal) of the tongue.

Drains blood from the underside (ventral) of the tongue, visible during an intraoral exam.

Drains blood from the side of the scalp, located close to the skin.

A deeper vein that collects blood from the pterygoid plexus, merging with the superficial temporal vein.

Formed by the merging of the maxillary and superficial temporal veins.