Key Arteries of the Head and Neck

Key Arteries of the Head and Neck

• Ophthalmic Artery: Supplies blood to the eye and orbital structures, branching from the internal carotid artery.
• Maxillary Artery: Major artery supplying the deep facial structures, including the maxilla, mandible, and teeth, arising from the external carotid artery.
• Superficial Temporal Artery: Supplies the scalp and portions of the face, a branch of the external carotid artery, located near the temple region.
• Basilar Artery: Formed by the fusion of the vertebral arteries, provides blood to the brainstem and cerebellum.
• Vertebral Artery: Provides blood to the posterior part of the brain, this artery ascends through the cervical vertebrae and joins to form the basilar artery.
• Occipital Artery: Supplies blood to the posterior scalp and portions of the neck, branching from the external carotid artery.
• Facial Artery: Supplies blood to the face, has several branches that reach the oral cavity, nasopharynx, and skin of the face.
• Lingual Artery: Supplies the tongue and the floor of the mouth, branches from the external carotid artery.
• Superior Thyroid Artery: Supplies the thyroid gland and surrounding structures, a branch of the external carotid artery.
• Larynx: An organ involved in breathing, producing sound, and protecting the trachea against food aspiration.
• Thyroid Gland: Endocrine gland that produces hormones regulating metabolism, located in the anterior neck.
• Brachiocephalic Trunk: Major artery that branches into the right common carotid and right subclavian arteries; supplies blood to the right arm and head.
• Internal Thoracic Artery: Supplies blood to the chest wall and mammary glands, branches off from the subclavian artery.
• Internal Carotid Artery: Supples blood to the brain; includes several branches that supply the face and neck.
• External Carotid Artery: Supplies blood to the face and neck, having several branches that provide various tissues with oxygenated blood.
• Common Carotid Artery: Major blood vessel supplying the head and neck; bifurcates into the internal and external carotid arteries.
• Thyrocervical Trunk: Branch of the subclavian artery supplying the thyroid gland, neck, and shoulders.
• Costocervical Trunk: Another branch of the subclavian artery, supplies blood to the upper back and neck regions.
• Subclavian Artery: Supplies blood to the arms, head, and neck, travels under the clavicle before branching into additional arteries.
• Axillary Artery: Continuation of the subclavian artery, supplies the upper limb and branches into several arteries that service the components of the arm.