Vessel
External carotid artery
Supplies the face and neck
High-yield
Eight branches - Some Anatomists Like Freaking Out Poor Medical Students (Superior thyroid, Ascending pharyngeal, Lingual, Facial, Occipital, Posterior auricular, Maxillary, Superficial temporal).
Overview
A terminal branch of the common carotid supplying the structures of the neck, face, and scalp through eight named branches.
Reference facts
- Type
- Muscular artery
- Origin
- Common carotid artery
- Branches / tributaries
- Superior thyroid; Ascending pharyngeal; Lingual; Facial; Occipital; Posterior auricular; Maxillary; Superficial temporal
- Supplies
- Face, scalp, neck viscera, and dura
- Course
- Ascends from the carotid bifurcation through the parotid gland, where it divides into its two terminal branches
Frequently asked questions
Where does the external carotid artery originate?
The external carotid artery arises from the common carotid artery.
What does the external carotid artery supply?
The external carotid artery supplies the face, scalp, neck viscera, and dura.
What are the branches of the external carotid artery?
Branches of the external carotid artery include the superior thyroid; Ascending pharyngeal; Lingual; Facial; Occipital; Posterior auricular; Maxillary; Superficial temporal.
What is the course of the external carotid artery?
Ascends from the carotid bifurcation through the parotid gland, where it divides into its two terminal branches.